The 78th session of World Health Assembly (WHA 78), the highest decision-making body of World Health Organisation (WHO), was held from May 19 to 27, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland under the theme “One World for Health”.
- This year’s theme of WHA reflects WHO’s enduring commitment to solidarity and equity, highlighting that even in unprecedented times, everyone, everywhere should have an equal chance to live a healthy life.
About WHA 78:
i.Teodoro J. Herbosa, Health Secretary of the Philippines, was elected as President of WHA 78.
ii.While, Dr. Jaleela bint Alsayed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health of Bahrain, was elected as Vice President of the WHA 78. He represented the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
iii.The WHA brought together health ministers and representatives from all 194 member states to address the key global health challenges.
- Member States reviewed around 75 health-related items, actively debated them, and passed important resolutions aimed at advancing health for everyone.
India at WHA 78:
PM Narendra Modi Addressed the WHA 78:
In May 2025, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed WHA 78 through video-conferencing. He highlighted this year’s WHA theme aligns with India’s own vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’.
Key Points:
i.He highlighted about India’s transformative health reforms like: Ayushman Bharat, considered as the world’s largest health insurance scheme, which now covers more than 580 million people and provides maximum health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family.
- In 2024, the Government of India (GoI) expanded the scheme to cover all Indians above the age of 70 years.
- He underscored India’s free telemedicine service, which has enabled more than 340 million consultations.
iii.He urged global participation for the 11th International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2025. He invited all countries to embrace Yoga as a unifying force for global well-being.
iv.PM also congratulated WHO and all its member states on the successful negotiations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) treaty.
Note: The INB, set up by WHO member states in 2021, drafts and negotiates international agreements to enhance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
India Reaffirmed Global Health Commitment at WHA 78:
The India delegation led by Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) representing India at WH 78.
- While addressing the plenary session of the assembly, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized on the transformative progress made under GoI’s flagship initiatives like Ayushman Bharat which will help India in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- She also mentioned that medical colleges in India have doubled from 387 to 780 in the last 10 years to train future healthcare professionals.
Key Points:
i.She further highlighted that international organisations like: the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Inter-Agency Group appreciated India’s efforts in maternal health, family planning, childhood mortality and stillbirths’ reduction.
ii.She also reiterated India’s commitment to eliminating diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB), Leprosy, Lymphatic Filariasis, Measles, Rubella and Kala-azar.
India Reinforced Commitment to WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-34 at WHA 78:
While addressing the assembly, Arindam Baghchi, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva (Switzerland) appreciated the adoption of the new WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-34, which aims to encourage member states of WHO to enhance regulation, integrate Traditional Medicine (TM) services, where appropriate, and uphold indigenous knowledge, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity.
- He reinforced India’s commitment to bolstering TM systems as part of an integrated approach to healthcare at WH 78.
Key Points:
i.He highlighted India’s significant contribution to the global TM ecosystem with the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. It was launched in 2022 with the support of GoI.
- The Centre is a 1st –of-its-kind and plays a crucial role in data analytics, policy support, standard-setting, and research collaboration.
ii.In May 2025, the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), India and WHO signed a Donor Agreement, to initiate work on a dedicated TM module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
India Awarded WHO Certification for Elimination of Trachoma as Public Health Problem
India received the Certification of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the WHO. The certification was presented by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General (DG) of WHO during the WHA 78.
- This recognition by WHO reflects India’s sustained efforts in disease elimination, its focus on preventive healthcare, and its continued commitment to the vision of health for all.
- Besides Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Mauritania have been validated by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
Key Points:
i.On October 08 2024, WHO declared the GoI had eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem at the 77th Regional Conference of WHO South East Asia Region (SEAR) held in New Delhi, Delhi.
- Also, India became the 3rd country in SEAR after Nepal and Myanmar to achieve this public health milestone.
ii.As of October 2024, 21 countries including India, China, Benin, Cambodia, China, Morocco, Mexico, Oman, among others, had been validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem
Note: Trachoma is a contagious bacterial eye infection caused by bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. It is classified as Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.
India, Nepal Strengthen Health Cooperation at WHA 78 Bilateral Meeting
On the sidelines of WHA 78, Punya Salila Srivastava, Health Secretary of India held a bilateral meeting with Pradip Paudel, Minister of Health and Population, Government of Nepal.
- The bilateral meeting was focused on key health issues like: affordable drugs, communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), digital health, and capacity building of the health workforce.
Key Reports/Programmes Launched at WHA 78:
WHO Results Report 2024-25 Released:
In May 2025, the WHO mid-term Results Report 2024-25 was released, ahead of WHA 78. The report shows progress on global health amid increasing financial uncertainties. The report further shows significant progress on coverage with health essential services, protection from health emergencies.
- However, this progress is still insufficient to reach the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
About the WHO Report 2024-25:
i.This latest edition of the report presents a mid-term assessment of WHO’s performance in implementing the Programme Budget 2024-25.
ii.It also provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made towards the strategic priorities of the 13th General Programme of Work(GPW-13), 2019-25.
iii.The report covers the work of WHO in more than 150 countries, territories and provides an update on the implementation of the 13th General Programme, highlighting both accomplishments so far and challenges ahead.
Key Points:
i.As per the report, an estimated 431 million more people are now covered with essential health services without catastrophic health spending.
- This progress is mainly attributed to improvements in the healthcare workforce, and expanded Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) antiretroviral therapy.
ii.The report reveals that an estimated 637 million more people are better protected through robust preparedness, surveillance, workforce capacity, and equitable access to tools and services, driven by reforms such as amendments to the International Health Regulations.
iii.It further shows 1.4 billion more people are living healthier lives, mainly driven by reduced tobacco use, improved air quality, clean household fuels, among others.
Key Progress:
i.As per the report, 7 countries eliminated NTD disease in 2024. With this, a total 54 countries have eradicated at least one NTD.
ii.The report reveals 70 million more people had access to mental health services by December 2024 and minimum 1 million people living with a mental health condition received treatment.
iii.WHO with the support from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, had distributed 259,000 mpox tests in 32 countries and 6 million mpox vaccines were pledged worldwide.
iv.WHO in partnership with UNICEF and other UN agencies has resulted in multi-layer funding programmes in 15 high-burden countries. These programmes have reached 9.3 million children and saved an estimated 1 million lives.
Note: The total Programme Budget for 2024–2025 is set at USD 6.83 billion.
WHO Unveiled New Guideline:
On the sidelines of WHA 78, WHO unveiled its comprehensive ‘new guideline on balanced national policies for controlled medicines’. It is designed to support countries in ensuring safe, equitable and affordable access to essential controlled medicines which are important in the treatment of acute and chronic pain, mental health conditions, and other serious health issues.
- This new WHO guideline provides a roadmap for its member states to develop and implement balanced national policies that support the medical and scientific use of controlled medicines while protecting individuals from the risks associated with non-medical use.
Key Objectives:
The document offers new evidence-based recommendations and best practice statements:
i.To ensure accurate and timely quantification of controlled medicines based on current consumption and projected requirements;
ii.To ban misleading and unethical marketing practices;
iii.To strengthen procurement and supply chain systems using appropriate tools and technologies to enhance traceability;
iv.To allow local production where feasible;
v.To provide continuous access to opioid against treatment in all clinically needed settings;
vi.To promote robust training for healthcare professionals and public education campaigns for safe, informed use.
Member States Approved WHO Pandemic Agreement in WHA Committee, Paving Way for its Formal Adoption
Investment Commitments:
Member States Approved 20% Funding Hike for WHO:
In May 2025, member states of WHO approved a new budget and 20% hike in assessed contributions (annual membership fees), which will account an additional USD 90 million in revenue annually. This is the 2nd such 20% increase in assessed contributions to WHO, the last being made as part of the 2024-25 budget.
- Also, these member states endorsed the WHO’s 2026-27 budget of USD 4.2 billion, down by 22% compared to the previous estimated budget of USD 5.3 billion.
- The budget for 2026-27 is the 1st to be fully based on the WHO’s 14th General Programme of Work, 2025-28 (GPW 14), its global health strategy for another 4 years.
Background:
i.In 2022, WHO member states agreed to increase their assessed contributions by gradually increasing their membership fees to account 50% of WHO’s core budget by the 2030-31 cycle, at the latest.
ii.Assessed contributions accounted for only 16% of the approved programme budget in the 2021-22 biennium.
Note: WHO has secured 60% of its base budget for 2026-27, however, it is still short of USD 1.7 billion, despite the reduced budget.
Rockfeller and Wellcome Pledged to Mobilise USD 11.5 Million:
The United States of America, USA-based philanthropic organisations, The Rockefeller Foundation and Wellcome have pledged to mobilize USD 11.5 million to help Low-and-Middle-Income-Countries (LMICs) tackle increasing health risks caused by climate change.
- The joint investment was announced on the sideline of WHA 78, where the Rockefeller Foundation announced USD 5.2 million grants for the WHO-WMO programme.
- While, Wellcome had pledged USD 6.3 million in October 2024 at the World Health Summit.
Key Focus Areas:
i.Prototype and scale in-country: The investment will establish health meteorological units in 7 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
ii.Support Cross-sectoral Collaboration and Capacity Building: The joint investment aims to build stronger cooperation between health ministries and weather agencies in at least 80 countries.
Global Leaders Pledged 210 Million :
Global Leaders pledged at least an additional USD 210 million for 2025-28 Investment Round (IR) supporting the WHO’s base budget. It brings the total funds raised for the Investment Round to approximately USD1.7 billion.
- The IR aims to raise funds for WHO’s strategy for global health, GPW 14, which can save an additional 40 million lives over the next 4 years.
Key Donors:
i.The event witnessed commitments from countries like: Switzerland (USD 40 million),Sweden (USD 13.5 million), Qatar (USD 6 million), Angola (USD 8 million), Cambodia (USD 400,000), among others.
ii.Some of the notable global foundations/organisations: the ELMA Vaccines and Immunization Foundation (with the WHO Foundation) (USD 2 million), the Nippon Foundation (USD 9.2 million), Fondation Botnar (USD 9.6 million), Laerdal Global Health and the Novo Nordisk Foundation (USD 57 million).
- Also, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) has committed an additional USD 13 million and announced a further increase in funding .
