2023 World Health Assembly Simulation Highlight Video
2023 Theme
The theme for the 2023 World Health Assembly Simulation is Building Global Solidarity for Worldwide Health Security. To learn more, read the 2023 WHA Simulation Summary Report [pdf].
Agenda
For more information about the 2023 WHA Simulation such as location, agenda, and speakers, please view the file.
A Message From The Director General of WHO
Watch this special welcome video from the Director General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
2023 Committees
Public Health Emergencies: Preparedness and Response
Since 2011, there have been more than 1200 outbreaks of epidemic-prone diseases in 188 countries around the world. Large-scale epidemics cause widespread death and suffering, disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable populations, and lead to social, economic and political disruption.
Approximately 70-80% of high-risk pathogens spread between animals and humans (they are zoonotic). Some of these are known but many are unknown and are currently circulating among animal species around the world.
The rapid detection, verification, assessment and communication of potential health threats is essential to save lives and reduce the negative impact of health emergencies. Countries, communities and organizations must be able to respond immediately and effectively to potential health threats and emergencies caused by any hazard. For this, readiness is essential.
Strengthening Infodemic Management
While the Covid-19 pandemic continues to claim lives and livelihoods around the world, a silent infodemic is proving to be as dangerous.
The infodemic, defined by the World Health Assembly as the overabundance of information including false or misleading ones, has significant implications for public health management. Specifically, the creation and dissemination of inaccurate information hinder individual access to reliable sources and guidance, leading to the rejection of health interventions, disregard for epidemiological guidelines, and the proliferation of conspiracy-motivated beliefs and behaviour. For example, the association of vaccines with microchips and magnets has fuelled anti-vaccine sentiments, with data from across 23 countries in January 2021 showing that only 63% of respondents will accept a vaccine, well below the threshold of 75% minimum to attain herd immunity in a post-pandemic world.
Against this backdrop, it is important to improve existing information management mechanisms and generate new ones to ensure effective responses to health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, applying evidence and risk-based interventions that drive positive health-seeking behaviour is key to building social resilience, promoting a sound understanding of public health, and providing citizens with the toolkit to protect themselves and their communities.
Ultimately, governments, organisations, and other stakeholders must strengthen infodemic management, regulate the information landscape, and create credible, constructive public health narratives. It is only with such collective efforts can the pandemic be truly and effectively be addressed.
Universal Health Coverage: Reorienting Health Systems to Primary Health Care
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is the goal of ensuring that all people have access to the health services they need, without suffering financial hardship. Achieving UHC requires a reorientation of health systems towards primary health care (PHC), which is the first point of contact for people with health concerns and is delivered through a comprehensive and integrated approach. A strong PHC system is essential for ensuring that people can access the health services they need, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status.
In the context of global health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, a PHC-oriented health system is critical for building global solidarity and responding effectively to the crisis. PHC can provide essential health services, including preventive care, diagnosis, treatment, and referral to higher levels of care when needed. It also plays a crucial role in surveillance, outbreak detection, and response, which are key components of the global health security agenda.
To achieve UHC and reorient health systems towards PHC, it is necessary to focus on four key areas:
Health Financing: Countries need to increase public financing for health and ensure that it is spent on essential health services, with a particular emphasis on primary health care. This requires innovative financing mechanisms and stronger partnerships between governments, civil society, and the private sector.
Health Workforce: Countries need to invest in the education, training, and retention of health workers, with a particular focus on strengthening the PHC workforce. This requires improving working conditions, providing adequate remuneration, and ensuring that health workers are deployed where they are most needed.
Service Delivery: Countries need to strengthen PHC services by ensuring that they are accessible, affordable, and of high quality. This requires the implementation of a comprehensive and integrated approach to service delivery, including preventive and curative care, as well as health promotion and disease prevention.
Health Information Systems: Countries need to strengthen health information systems to enable better monitoring, evaluation, and decision-making. This requires the collection, analysis, and dissemination of reliable and timely health data, with a particular emphasis on disease surveillance and outbreak response.
By reorienting health systems towards PHC and achieving UHC, countries can build global solidarity and respond effectively to health emergencies, while also promoting health equity and social justice.
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