World Health Assembly Concludes In Geneva, Approves ‘Landmark’ Reforms, Director-General Chan Says

News outlets report on the conclusion of the 68th session of the World Health Assembly.

Agence France-Presse: WHO shake-up approved after Ebola debacle
“The World Health Organization got the go-ahead Tuesday for a sweeping shake-up, including a $100-million war chest to battle future emergencies following the Ebola fiasco. Delegates from 180 countries at the annual World Health Assembly, which ended Tuesday, approved plans for a contingency fund to tackle future emergencies, which will be reviewed after two years…” (5/26).

CIDRAP News: WHA wraps up with resolutions on emergency response reforms, antimicrobial resistance
“…The group opened its 68th session on May 18, with several items on the agenda to revamp the way the World Health Organization (WHO) responds to global health catastrophes, such as Ebola in West Africa. More than 3,000 delegates, including a large number of the world’s health ministers, from 194 WHO member states took part in the meeting…” (Schnirring, 5/26).

NPR: As Antibiotic Resistance Spreads, WHO Plans Strategy To Fight It
“…At the WHO’s annual meeting in Geneva this week, representatives from 194 countries approved a new global plan to counter antimicrobial resistance…” (Beaubien, 5/27).

U.N. News Centre: U.N. health agency governing body ends session agreeing ‘landmark’ reforms on emergency response
“…WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan noted that the agency’s governing board had passed several ‘landmark resolutions and decisions’ including three new resolutions passed [Tuesday]: one on air pollution, one on epilepsy, one laying out the next steps in finalizing a framework of engagement with non-state actors…” (5/26).

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