WE JOIN the numberless Filipinos who are upbeat after Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa officially wound up his presidency of the 78th World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization, a week ago in Geneva.
The 66-year-old Herbosa, appointed in June 2023 to the helm of the Department of Health by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., marked a historic first for the Philippines, whacked by the global pandemic in March 2020, since the WHO was founded in 1948.
We see in his presidency of the 194-member states a fruitful term which simulates the growing leadership and influence of the Philippines in global health diplomacy, which focuses on issues that need the cooperation of many countries.
His closing statement on May 27 continues to reverberate in an unequivocal manner when he said the world, now with more than eight billion people, is challenged by unpredictability.
But he stressed “this Assembly has reaffirmed the central role of the World Health Organization in overseeing global health, while highlighting the urgent need to reform, adapt, and finance a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient global health architecture.
“And today, we are ending with profound hope and renewed zeal.”
WHA78’s descriptive landmark was the adoption of the “WHO Pandemic Agreement” after three-and-a-half years of negotiations, with the multinational pact intended to ensure a more coordinated, equitable and effective global response to future pandemics.
We note the Assembly also adopted the Philippine-led resolution, “Accelerating Action on the Global Health and Care Workforce by 2030.”
This lodestar document represents a remarkable stride toward addressing global health workforce challenges, strengthening national and sub-national capacities, and enhancing international cooperation to ensure the sustainability of health and care systems.
Throughout WHA78, the Philippine delegation actively engaged in various sessions and discussions.
Highlights of the delegation’s participation include 29 country interventions delivered in plenary and committee sessions; 56 side events, including 13 co-hosted by the Philippines and 23 where Philippine delegates served as panel speakers; 19 bilateral meetings with Member States, international organizations, and non-government organizations.
These covered high-level meetings with four Ministers of Health and the heads of WHO, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, and the International Organization for Migration, a UN-based intergovernmental organization that promotes humane and orderly migration.
A headline marker for the Philippines.
