Health for all: Health for WHO(m)?

The mantra then was ‘health for all’ and is embedded in the WHO’s constitution as a fundamental human right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. [...] WHO’s role in setting policies and guidelines is unparalleled, and from HAI’s perspective, the introduction of the concept of Essential Medicines (those that satisfy the priority health care needs of a population) stands tall among them. [...] National Essential Medicines Lists (EMLs) are closely related to the Rational Use of Medicines (RUM) which aims to ensure the right medicines, in the right dose, for the right amount of time and at the lowest cost to them and their community. [...] We have seen the removal of CSO side event sessions at the World Health Assembly (WHA), a narrowing of the space allocated to the voice of civil society in debates (now down to 60 seconds), a merging of sectors (e.g., private business interests and civil society now all called non-state actors) and the operationalisation of so-called ‘constituency statements’ at the WHA, which forces joint stateme. [...] It’s not all bad, whilst we critique the WHO, we support and work with WHO whenever possible, but in the next 75 years please let this global jewel regain its lustre and live up to the expectations of the people it serves, and truly deliver on health for all.