We are getting ready for the most important convening in global health of the year, the 76th World Health Assembly (#WHA76) —taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 21–30. This year, the focus of the Assembly will be on building a “global framework for integrating well-being into public health utilizing a health promotion approach.” 

At WHA76, Pathfinder will push the needle on policy change for the inclusion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) under Primary Health Care (PHC), better pandemic preparedness and resilience (PPR), and more engagement among civil society organizations and the private sector to hold governments accountable to commitments. We will also join the Global Health Council’s delegation in advocating for health systems strengthening, health workers, and universal health care. Additionally, we will host and participate in side events and working sessions. We hope to meet you there! 

If you’re in Geneva, come see us in person at one of our events. Whether you’re attending #WHA76 in person or virtually, follow #PathfinderAtWHA76 on social media for updates. 

---

Featured Events

WORKING SESSION
Creating an Action Agenda: Advancing national health workforce plans to meet the aspirations of the global political declarations

Date: Tuesday, May 23 | Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CET

The health workforce has been at the center of key forums this year, including AHAIC23, CHW Symposium, and the 5th Global Forum on Human Resources for Health. It is recognized at these forums that strengthening the health workforce is critical for countries to enable equitable PPR and to deliver essential health services to all.  

WHA76 offers an opportunity to leverage these discussions and move from recommendations and rhetoric to policy action. This is more important than ever to influence the UN High-level Meetings on UHC, PPR, and TB in September 2023 (UN HLM) to have action-oriented political declarations for member states to take forward.  

Pathfinder, Living Goods, the Global Health Council, and the Frontline Health Workers Coalition will convene ministerial staff, multilateral leaders, civil society organizations, and health workers for a working session focused on optimizing support to the health workforce by identifying tangible policy changes needed and the tools and financing mechanisms that would be most useful to countries. Session organizers will develop an action agenda to guide the working session. 

Space is limited for this in-person working session. If you are interested in participating, please RSVP and an event organizer will reach out to you to confirm details.

SIDE EVENT
Digital Health Solutions to Bolster Health System Resilience

Date: Wednesday, May 24 | Time: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM CET

This in-person event will convene experts in digital health from Pathfinder, What to Expect Project, and Last Mile Health for a roundtable discussion focused on digital health as a tool for better health emergency preparedness. Together, we will delve into how digital health solutions offer opportunities to improve the health and well-being of our most vulnerable populations and identify measures for ensuring equitable use of digital health technologies. 

Under Pillar 2 of the WHA76 Provisional Agenda, WHO highlights the global need for better protection from health emergencies, including better pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. In order to more effectively prepare for inevitable disruptions to health care systems and better protect the communities most vulnerable to these overlapping health emergencies, we must establish alternative avenues for sustained access to health care. One such promising avenue is investment in digital health solutions, which also aligns with Pillar 4 of the WHA76 provisional agenda: “Global strategy on digital health.” In person only. Space is limited, please RSVP in advance.  

SPEAKERS:

• Darlene Irby, Senior Director, Digital Innovation, Pathfinder 
• Annie Toro, President and Executive Director, What to Expect Project 
• Siobhan Kelley, Senior Director of Communications, Last Mile Health 

Events with Pathfinder Participation 

SIDE EVENT
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights:
An essential component of Universal Health Coverage

Date: Monday, May 22| Time: 6:00 PM-7:30 PM CET

Join us for an in-person event during the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, co-hosted by the Government of Argentina, Malawi and Sweden and the Alliance for Gender Equality and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This event will highlight the importance of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in achieving Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goal commitments. 

We recognize the critical role of SRHR services in providing essential care across the life course, particularly for marginalized populations. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many essential services, including those delivering SRHR, were reduced or defunded. We believe that programming and adequately funding SRHR is a low-cost and effective building block to achieving gender equality and Universal Health Coverage. 

Pathfinder’s Lydia Saloucou, President, Africa, Pathfinder, will be a speaker.

SIDE EVENT
Meeting the Health Needs of Women and Girls in Every Phase of Life

Date: Wednesday, May 24| Time: 2:20 PM – 3:55 PM CET

On the occasion of the 76th World Health Assembly, Devex will convene leaders in global health to discuss the lingering pandemic emergency and long-term effects of COVID-19, preparations for the next global health threat, and the innovation necessary to move the needle on access to medicines and quality health care worldwide.    

Pathfinder’s Lydia Saloucou, President, Africa, Pathfinder, will be a speaker.