WHO Board Lays Out Steps To UN Agency’s Reform

The World Health Organization Executive Board last week requested more details on the organisation’s planned reform and established a consultative process for the reform, according to sources.

The board decision states that the consultative process should be member-state driven and inclusive, according to Knowledge Ecology International. a non-governmental organization. By the end of June, WHO Director General Margaret Chan’s office will have to prepare three concept papers on the following issues: governance of WHO, independent evaluation of WHO, and the multi-stakeholder World Health Forum proposed by the director general.

The World Health Assembly last week approved the director’s broad plan for substantive reform, but delegates asked that the process be member-state driven (IPW, WHO, 24 May 2011). The World Health Forum, intended to gather different stakeholders such as civil society and industry, was eyed with concerns by observers as a potential door for industry influence over the organisation.

Chan was also instructed to hold consultations with member states on the concept papers and to create a platform for web-based consultations by the end of July, and hold a special session of the Executive Board in November to discuss the consultative process.

The Executive Board meeting took place on 25 May. The decision is expected to be posted on the WHO website.