WHO/Europe leaders and experts spoke about the importance of leveraging new partnerships to strengthen health at this year’s European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG), held virtually from 30 September to 2 October.
Focusing on the theme “Dancing with elephants: new partnerships for health, democracy, business” WHO experts shared knowledge and their vision on improving access to medicines, amplifying people’s voices in health decision-making, and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Oslo Medicines Initiative was announced to find ways to ensure greater access to affordable medicines while maintaining commercial viability for medicine producers.
Commenting on this new Initiative, the WHO Regional Director for Europe reminded participants that access to affordable quality medicines is at the core of Universal Health Coverage and intellectual property rights should not be a barrier for any patient, particularly the poor, to receiving life-saving medicines.
The Initiative will function with both in-person and virtual meetings, including:
a series of webinars with panellists representing different stakeholders
a physical meeting planned for spring 2022, to outline a new vision for collaboration to improve access to novel medicines in the European Region
WHO/Europe also discussed the role of the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development, to offer recommendations on how societies and health systems can build back better following the pandemic and be better prepared for future health emergencies.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read the original WHO EURO story about new partnerships for health
Find out more about WHO's partners and donors and their contributions to the COVID-19 response