Over USD10 Billion Estimated To Implement 5-Year WHO Draft Programme Of Work

The World Health Organization released a financial estimate for its draft thirteenth general programme of work 2019-2023 on 15 January, after member states asked last autumn how that draft programme was to be financed.

The WHO estimates that US$10.8 billion over the five-year period for the base segment of the budget will be necessary to implement the 13th draft general programme of work (GPW13).

Compared to the current approved programme budget 2018-2019, this amount represents a US$2 billion increase over the five-year period, an increase of some US$400 million per year, according to the secretariat document.

The document is expected to be examined by WHO member states during the Programme, Budget and Administration Committee of the Executive Board (PBAC), taking place on 18-19 January, just before the Executive Board meeting from 22-27 January.

The document adds that the WHO is revamping resource mobilisation efforts and “is expecting to see results over the coming year.” The secretariat is not seeking an adjustment of the current programme budget, it says. For the programme budget for 2020-2021 onwards, two segments are proposed: a base segment and scalable operations.

The scalable operations segment would include emergency response, the remaining activities of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and special projects, according to the document.

Additional investments are needed in strengthening country capacity and normative functions, according to the WHO, to implement the new strategic priorities and shifts of GPW13.

The organisation plans on proceeding to internal savings arising from “substantial efficiencies and economies, which would yield as much as US$440 million,” the document explains.

 

Image Credits: World Health Organization