Report of the Regional Director - Challenges
Report of the Regional Director 2021 - Challenges
Challenges
The health achievements realized with WHO support over the past year need to be understood in the context of the enormous challenges that the Organization and African countries are facing.
Sustainable financing
Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, momentum and recognition have been building that the resourcing of the Secretariat is not commensurate with the ever-expanding functions that WHO is expected to carry out. This is clearly evident in the African Region, which accounts for a disproportionate burden of global health challenges. Member States of the African Region have advocated successfully at the global level, for equity to be a core consideration in WHO budget allocations, so that going forward funds should be increasingly allocated across WHO’s three levels, where the needs are greatest. Global review groups, such as the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, and oversight committees of WHO, have made the case for more sustainable financing of the Organization, which now needs to be translated into action.
At the regional level, we have completed over a period of two years, a detailed and participatory analysis of the staff profiles and structures needed to serve each country. This included incorporation of the perspectives of around 300 partners in the Region, who shared with us their perspectives on how WHO should be operating. However, with limited resources available to fully implement the recommendations of this functional review process, we are obliged to pursue the formation of multicountry assignment teams to pool and share expertise between countries.
Global review groups, such as the Independent Panel on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, and oversight committees of WHO, have made the case for more sustainable financing of the Organization, which now needs to be translated into action.
Ultimately, we hope the benefits of more targeted and tailored support to countries will be demonstrated through this transitional approach, leading to more funding to allocate dedicated technical expertise, particularly in countries facing complex challenges.
Prioritization
An additional challenge is the capacity for countries to prioritize, amid multiple, competing urgent demands and plateauing progress in areas such as immunization and malaria that call for rethinking and reigniting action.
As spelt out in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness in 2005, sixteen years ago, governments need to be in the driver’s seat in defining and pushing priorities. This requires strong country ownership, aligning donor support to local systems, harmonized coordination among partners, managing for results, and mutual accountability among partners and governments. Fulfilment of these principles continues to be a work in progress. In addition, as seen many times over in public health, communities must have a seat at the table and a strong voice in shaping the solutions intended to meet their needs.
Evidence-informed implementation
Across all programme areas, there are needs for better data to monitor trends, generate evidence, conduct quality research, and ensure interventions are guided by evidence. Digital solutions play a critical role here, and as WHO we are working with governments and partners to harness their potential, in an incredibly fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Across all programme areas, there are needs for better data to monitor trends, generate evidence, conduct quality research, and ensure interventions are guided by evidence.
In all fields of health, WHO expertise is instrumental in advising and guiding delivery of more appropriate, comprehensive strategies with quality assurance to tackle priority diseases, strengthen health systems and improve well-being. As a science-based organization, WHO support helps to get the most out of the limited available resources. Yet, resourcing to ensure that technical guidance can accompany implementation remains a challenge, leading to missed opportunities and less efficient delivery.
Working together, governments and partners including WHO, need to enhance robust joint action in districts and provinces to ensure global norms and standards are translated into relevant, practical actions to improve health.