The World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health. It provides leadership on global health, shapes the health research agenda, sets norms and standards, presents evidence-based policy options, provides technical assistance to countries, not least in emergencies, and monitors and assesses health trends.

Health is a key SDC priority as stated in the Dispatch on International Cooperation 2013-2016, which isdentified WHO as one of SDC key partners. SDC health policy seeks reduction of inequities by strengthening health systems to be more responsive to needs of the poor. SDC global programme health is in line with the priorities of WHO operationalized through programme categories, areas and at three levels of the organization.

WHO internal reforms resulted in programme design and delivery improvements. Delays persist with regard to governance reform (agenda-setting, engagement with non-state actors). Alignment of management between HQ and regional offices still of concern.

Priority setting of WHO strategy and programme for 2014–2019 was concluded, but is now being modified to incorporate a new emergency programme requested by Member States. In itself a key result, a Programme Budget web portal has been set up and is updated quarterly to provide details on both programme performance and financing (income and expenditure by programme and centre). Failures as well as successes are now frankly presented. Programmatic and Financial data for 2014-2015 relied upon monitoring instruments:

• Self-reporting of achievement of performance indicators
• Observed delivery of products and services
• Assessment of risks, mitigation strategies
• Use of human and financial resources

Responsible officers at the three levels verified reports with validation/verification instruments. Quality assurance was applied by standard template and checklists. The reports are now audited financially and programmatically.

Funding shortfall was a significant risk for the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP). Obtained reassurance on HRP staffing and overhead costs are included in the base budget and that Swiss earmarked funding is not used to fill gaps in administrative and management costs.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (TDR) objectives 2014–2015 were achieved.

SDC thematic priorities for Health System strengthening, research and development concerning conditions affecting poor countries are partially integrated into the WHO Programme Budget. Close cooperation on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights leading to establishing a JPO position. Malaria, Polio and Neglected Tropical Diseases are not fully integrated but benefit from adequate voluntary contributions.

Communicable disease burden will continue to decrease globally by expanding prevention and treatment (HIV, malaria) and through ensuring that heavily financed vaccination programmes (polio eradication legacy) contribute to sustaining broader health interventions in African countries.

A lifecourse understanding of health and rights in an enabling policy environment will address social determinants of health through multisectoral collaboration, leading to better access to essential interventions that improve the health of women, newborns, children and adolescents.

Policies, plans and strategies for health system financing aimed at moving towards universal health coverage.

An organization-wide emergency programme is in place, and able to conduct risk assessment, manage health emergency information, carry out emergency operations, including infectious hazard and protracted crisis. An Executive Director and an independent oversight body supported by a Global Health Emergency Workforce cooperate effectively with Member State to ensure the latter’s preparedness.

Independently of the programmatic outcomes, final conclusion of WHO reform remains expected during this phase. These include management alignment between HQ, regions and country office, efficient governance measures (as simple as agenda planning and reporting to governing bodies) a simple means of engagement with non-State actors.

Mainstreaming of Gender, Equity, and Human Rights based approaches and attention to Social Determinants of Health are overarching expectations.

WHO states that it made a major contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals WHO promises that its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals will begin to be addressed already in 2016.

Support to the work of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development will attain some integration into the core business of the TDR division.

SDC as a interested “shareholder” of WHO will continue cooperation with FOPH as lead on WHO with statements / interventions at governing bodies focused on SDC initiatives related to Geneva International Health Capital and in follow-up to Switzerland’s role in research and development and as guarantor of humanitarian principles predominating in WHO emergency sector reform. Monitoring programme and financial management performance will be of critical relevance in assessing the future level of SDC core contributions 2017-2019.

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1. Sweden 24.42
2. United Kingdom 24.25
3. Australia 18.55
4. Belgium 9.92
5. Norway 9.17
6. Finland 7.52
7. Netherlands 5.98
8. Denmark 5.30
9. Switzerland 3.33
10. France 2.34

Australia and Canada (forming Global Fund Constituency)
Sweden, Norway and Germany on financial tracking
Canada, Monaco on Polio
Outreach with low- and middle-income countries

Other coordination:
Swiss NGOs (e.g. Medicus Mundi Schweiz)
IOs (e.g. UNAIDS, Global Fund)
Specific divisions within the WHO Secretariat, particularly outbreak and emergency

Phase 12 01.01.2016 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)