WFSA will be attending the 78th World Health Assembly from 19 – 27 May to continue our mission of securing anaesthesiology’s place in stronger, greener, and more equitable health systems globally.
Reflecting our position as a Non-State Actor in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), WFSA will be attending the 78th World Health Assembly.
Represented by a high-level delegation led by our President and President-Elect, WFSA will be addressing the WHA on behalf of our Member Societies in policy discussions that shape the future of global health.
As health systems worldwide are still rebuilding post-COVID and adapt to new global changes, we will be using our position with WHO to emphasise the pivotal role of safe, accessible anaesthesia care in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and strengthening countries’ capacity to respond to health emergencies. Our advocacy will particularly spotlight anaesthesia services as a cornerstone of Emergency, Critical, and Operative (ECO) care — services that are essential for saving lives and improving health outcomes.
Reflecting the centrality of planetary health to our own strategic objectives, the WFSA delegation will also contribute to discussions on reducing the environmental impact and pollution caused by global healthcare systems. Additionally, we will continue to advocate for the health, safety, and well-being of anaesthesiologists and the broader health workforce — recognising their critical contributions to resilient health systems.
Side-Events to Drive ECO Care Forward
In addition to active participation in the WHA78 proceedings, we are co-hosting two important side-events focused on strengthening the ECO continuum through innovative data tools, collaboration, and practical implementation strategies.
The ECO Continuum: How ACAN is Driving Better Patient Outcomes
📅 Date: 19 May 2025
⏰ Time: 07:30 – 09:00
📍 Venue: Impact Hub Geneva
🔗 Register here (participate in-person or online)
Organised by WFSA on behalf of the Acute Care Action Network (ACAN), this event focuses on the transformative potential of integrating ECO care to reduce morbidity and mortality. It will bring together Ministries of Health, global health experts, and frontline clinicians to examine the benefits and practicalities of integrated ECO service delivery.
Key objectives include:
- Introducing ACAN and its role in advancing ECO care globally.
- Demonstrating data-backed approaches to reduce preventable deaths.
- Identifying implementation challenges and shared solutions.
- Generating a roadmap of practical actions to support countries.
The event will feature country experiences, a high-level panel, and interactive discussions designed to galvanise collective action and support from across the global health community.
Data to Action: How Metrics and Standards are Improving Patient Safety
📅 Date: 20 May 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00 – 14:00
📍 Venue: Geneva Press Club
🔗 Register here (participate in-person or online)
This event will explore how robust data collection tools and international standards are helping health leaders design safer, more effective ECO services. From national service packages to surgical outcomes and anaesthesia safety, speakers will showcase innovations driving policy and practice improvements, particularly in low-resource settings.
Highlights include:
- The UHC Service Package Delivery & Implementation (SPDI) Tool.
- The Utstein Surgical Metrics
- Operative Encounter Registry (OER)
- The Anaesthesia Facility Assessment Tool (AFAT).
- Findings from the African Critical Illness Outcomes Study (ACIOS).
The event will underscore the importance of data-driven decision-making in achieving Assembly Resolutions such as Resolution 76.2, and how these tools can equip countries to deliver on their UHC goals.
