WHO Launches $7 Billion Investment Round at WHA77 to Tackle Pandemic Readiness and Global Health Challenges

May 28, 2024, 11:21 AM

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new financing mechanism aimed at raising $7 billion to address global health challenges. This initiative, announced during the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA77), seeks to reinforce pandemic readiness and improve the organization's ability to respond to health crises more quickly and flexibly. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the need for a stronger, better-funded WHO to tackle overlapping global issues such as climate change, conflicts, disease outbreaks, and mental health conditions. The investment round aims to save 40 million lives over the next four years, with a projected return of $35 for every dollar invested. Despite progress, the world remains off-track to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, highlighting the importance of sustainable financing for WHO's efforts. The WHO requires US$ 11.1 billion to fund its work for the next four years, with part of the funds going to Big Pharma.