World Health Assembly opens in Geneva

• The Seventy-ninth session of the World Health Assembly (WHA79) opened in Geneva, Switzerland on May 18.

• Víctor Elías Atallah Lajam of Dominican Republic was elected as the president of the Health Assembly.  

• The World Health Assembly will conclude on May 23.

• Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director‑General, addressed the Assembly and then presented the Awards for Global Health.

• Established in 2019, the Director-General’s Awards for Global Health recognise individuals whose leadership and commitment have delivered tangible improvements in health outcomes around the world.

• The awards were presented recognising their lifetime achievements and exceptional contributions to improving the health and well-being of communities worldwide.

• This year’s laureates are Tore Godal, Merceline Dahl-Regis, Mike Ryan and Heba El Sewedy.

World Health Assembly

• The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board. 

The main functions of the World Health Assembly are:

i) To determine the policies of the organisation.

ii) Supervise financial policies.

iii) Review and approve the proposed programme budget. 

• The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.