he Sixth Global Meeting of Heads of WHO Offices (HWOs) with the Director-General (DG) and Regional Directors (RDs) took place in Geneva from 8-10 November. The overall objective of the meeting was to make WHO’s work in countries, territories and areas more efficient, and the Organization more responsive to country needs. The meeting was attended by 250 participants. In addition to the HWOs, DG and RDs, participants included the Deputy Director-General, Deputy Regional Directors, Directors of Programme Management and
T
one Assistant Regional Director, as well as Directors and other senior staff from regional offices and Headquarters (HQ). The meeting took the form of a three day policy and technical dialogue between HWOs, DG and RDs, which was organized around two pillars: 1) a review of progress made over the past five years; and 2) the emerging health agenda - 2011 and beyond.
Pillar 1: Progress made over the past five years Under the first pillar, HWOs engaged in dialogue on progress made in the areas of health emergencies and humanitarian crises, Millennium Development Goal (MDG) attainment, national health policies, strategies and plans, and strengthening WHO offices in countries, territories and areas. Participants agreed that although important progress has been made, there is still an unfinished agenda to be addressed.
Pillar 2: The emerging health agenda - 2011 and beyond Under the second pillar, HWOs focused on three themes: i) WHO reforms for a healthy future: Participants acknowledged the importance of the reforms for WHO to be a credible and fit-for-purpose organization of the 21st century. They also highlighted the need to make sure that the WHO country offices have the right mix of technical and administrative competencies to respond to the needs and demands of its member states and partners. ii) Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs): HWOs identified ways to implement the “Political Declaration of the High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of NCDs” to support countries in tackling the challenge of NCDs. iii) Health systems financing towards universal coverage: HWOs agreed that universal health coverage is a priority for the Organization, and that their role is to support governments in their efforts, using the World Health Report (WHR) 2010 as a tool. For group work and discussions, HWOs were organized according to four groupings based on five criteria that characterize their countries, territories or areas of assignment: health achievements; health system and service coverage; level of development and economic growth; overall vulnerability; and geographical characteristics. The purpose was for HWOs to share experiences and create links with other HWOs from offices in countries, territories and areas facing similar challenges, across regional boundaries. These four groupings were: countdown countries; countries, territories and areas in fragile circumstances; Small Island Developing States (SIDS); and the grouping of Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and SouthAfrica (BRICS), newly industrialized Countries (NICs), emerging market economies and other stable low- and middle-income countries, territories and areas. At the end of the meeting, the following key actions were agreed. These actions are organized around three cross-cutting themes and the areas under Pillar 2.
The full report, presentations delivered by HWOs and other participants, as well as the meeting documents can be accessed via: http://intranet.who.int/homes/cco/6thgm/
Key actions agreed at the Sixth Global Meeting of HWOs with DG and RDs Capacity 1. In the context of WHO reforms, empower the country offices with the relevant mix of skills and competencies, to engage more credibly on national health policies, strategies and plans and other health related agendas – including MDGs, all emergencies, NCDs and health financing. 2. Building on existing, innovative and flexible mechanisms, mobilize quality expertise in a timely manner, within the Secretariat and using national institutions. 3. Develop an efficient and transparent recruitment system and an effective and objective performance appraisal and motivation mechanism across the Secretariat. Communication and resource mobilization 4. Make communication more effective across the Secretariat as well as with partners and the media and build national capacity for effective engagement in Governing Bodies. 5. Move from fragmented to strategic Secretariat-wide resource mobilization by providing adequate intelligence, tools, platforms, and skills development. Health information systems 6. Advocate and harness Secretariat-wide support for Member States to collect and analyse disaggregated data and provide better evidence on inequities for health policy-making. WHO reforms 7. The entire Secretariat embraces the reforms and will ensure synergy and alignment for implementation across the three levels. 8. Country Cooperation Strategies guide WHO’s work in countries. The entire Secretariat will come together to undertake joint planning, joint programming and joint resource mobilization; and funds will be allocated based on the functions and priorities identified. 9. HWOs will network to share common challenges, experiences and good practices to enable better interoffice, South–South and triangular cooperation. Noncommunicable diseases 10. Based on country needs and the high-level political declaration on NCDs, and with active country office participation, elaborate a “One WHO plan of action” for NCDs. 11. Leverage all sectors which influence social determinants of health and engage UN agencies and other partners, for the implementation of the NCD plan of action, using an integrated health systems approach based on primary health care. Universal coverage © WHO, 2012
12. Building on the WHR 2010 and in the context of ongoing health system development, further engage the Ministry of Health and seek more commitment from other relevant ministries and stakeholders at the national, regional and international levels, to progress towards universal coverage.
The full report, presentations delivered by HWOs and other participants, as well as the meeting documents can be accessed via: http://intranet.who.int/homes/cco/6thgm/