Engaging the World Health Organization
WFSA is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) as a Non-State Actor. We work with WHO and UN Member States to ensure that anaesthesia is prioritised in all relevant discussions.
An outline of our agreed work plan with WHO covering 2025-2028 is available at – https://publicspace.who.int/sites/GEM/official_relations_details.aspx?id=2627
Representation at WHO Meetings
In 2025, WFSA participated in eight such meetings, presenting 15statements.
156th WHO Executive Board, Geneva, Switzerland
WFSA joined three constituency statements highlighting the need for access to essential medicines in health emergencies, the importance of prioritising NCD diagnosis and treatment to advance UHC, and the health sector’s responsibility in the climate crisis.
78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), Geneva, Switzerland
WFSA amplified the critical role anaesthesiology plays in achieving global health goals, particularly Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and preparedness for health emergencies. We delivered an individual statement on UHC and co-signed three constituency statements addressing climate change, health emergencies, and non-communicable diseases(NCDs).
WFSA also co-hosted two high-impact side events exploring how to operationalise and strengthen emergency, critical, and operative (ECO) care. We organised “The ECO Continuum: Driving Better Patient Outcomes” on behalf of the Acute Care Action Network (ACAN), and co-hosted “Data to Action: Metrics for Safer Care” with UCSF’s Center for Health Equity in Surgery and Anesthesia (CHESA)
75th WHO Regional Committee for Africa, Lusaka, Zambia
A delegation led by Sompwe Mwansa (Zambia), with Tariku Soboka (Ethiopia) and Françoise Nizeyimana (Rwanda), highlighted the role of Patient Blood Management (PBM) in strengthening Africa’s blood health services.
In partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, WFSA hosted a side event, “A Precious Resource: Managing Africa’s Blood Effectively,” bringing together clinicians and policymakers from across the region.
WFSA also delivered a statement on the importance of PBM in achieving universal access to safe blood products and held bilateral discussions with delegations from Zambia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone.
72nd Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt
Patricia Yazbeck (Lebanon) and Nabil El Askalany (Egypt) emphasised the central role of anaesthesiologists in supporting health system recovery in fragile and conflict-affected settings. They also highlighted the contribution of the anaesthesia community to improving environmental sustainability in health systems.
75th WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee, Nadi, Fiji
A delegation led by Kartik Mudliar, Enele Tuima, and Maurice Atalifo of the Pacific Society of Anaesthetists delivered a statement calling for strengthened anaesthesia workforce capacity to meet the region’s Safer Surgery by 2030 targets.
78th PAHO Regional Committee, Washington DC, USA
Faye Evans (USA), joined by Smile Train’s Alejandro Gonzalez, advocated for improved access to safe and affordable capnography. WFSA delivered statements on closing the capnography gap and on the importance of anaesthesia and surgical care within PAHO’s Plan of Action on NCD control and prevention.
78th WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health delivered the keynote address at a WFSA-led side event organised with WHO SEARO, Smile Train, and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health. The event focused on strengthening cleft palate services as a pathway to strengthening wider paediatric anaesthesia and surgical systems.
A delegation led by Kumudini Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) and Vibhavari Naik (India) delivered a statement underscoring that strengthened anaesthesia services are essential to achieving UHC in South-East Asia.
“We must build and retain our anaesthesiology and surgical workforce—the cornerstone of safe surgery. When we strengthen these vital services, we lift the entire health system.” Hon. Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health & Mass Media, Sri Lanka, speaking at a WFSA-organised SEARO side-event.
75th WHO Regional Committee for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
WFSA issued a constituency statement alongside 12 other NSAs calling for stronger investment in training, continuous learning, and workforce representation as part of the Second European Programme of Work, 2026–2030: United Action for Better Health.
Past World Health Assemblies
WFSA has a wealth of experience advocating for anaesthesia across multiple World Health Assemblies:
- 77th WHA, 2024
- 76th WHA, 2023
- 75th WHA, 2022
- 74th WHA, 2021
- 2020: The essential role of anaesthesiologists in the COVID-19 response
- 2020: Universal health coverage: moving together to build a healthier world.
