World Health Assembly

Why in news?

• On 29 May 2024, Member States (with the initiation of Spain) approved a new resolution on increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs.

About the draft resolution:

• The draft urged member states to increase in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) Guiding Principles on Human Cell, Tissue and Organ Transplantation.
• It emphasized on encouraging donation after the neurological determination of death and where appropriate, donation after the circulatory determination of death.
• It also mentioned that insufficient access to transplantation therapies is one of the root causes of trafficking in persons for organ removal and trafficking in human organs, practices that undermine human rights and pose serious risks to public health.
• The resolution urged the director-general to establish an expert committee under the Regulations for Expert Advisory Panels and Committees, to help the Secretariat in developing the proposed global strategy and its implementation.
• The resolution tasked countries with developing a global strategy to be presented for adoption in 2026. It also encouraged the establishment of a World Donor Day to raise public awareness and donations.

About World Health Assembly:

• It is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization.
• It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
• Functions:
  • The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies and review and approve the proposed programme budget.
  • The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

Q1: What is the World Health Organization (WHO)?

The WHO, established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

Source: World Health Assembly: Countries approve draft to improve organ transplantation availability