WHO Assembly approves reforms, stroke resolution, and pharmacovigilance measures
10 reported
The 79th World Health Assembly on May 22, 2026, established a Member State-led joint process to support reforms of the global health architecture, hosted by WHO and involving global health partners. Delegates also approved the first-ever Assembly resolution on stroke, titled “Reducing the burden of stroke: strengthening prevention, acute care, rehabilitation and health-system readiness,” proposed by Egypt and co-sponsored by Chile, Georgia, Palestine, Paraguay, and Tunisia. In addition, Member States advanced a resolution to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems worldwide, responding to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. A new Global Strategy for Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operative (ECO) Care 2026–2035 was approved, providing a roadmap for countries to strengthen health systems. Member States also endorsed a resolution to scale up equitable access to diagnostic imaging through teleradiology. The Assembly considered Argentina’s withdrawal notification from WHO and agreed by consensus that no further action at this stage is desirable.
What’s reported
The Assembly established a Member State-led joint process, hosted by WHO, to develop options and recommendations for reforming the global health architecture.
The process will draw on existing reform initiatives and relevant elements of the UN80 Initiative.
Member States expressed strong support for WHO’s central convening and normative role.
The first-ever World Health Assembly resolution on stroke was approved, co-sponsored by Egypt, Chile, Georgia, Palestine, Paraguay, and Tunisia.
Over the past 20 years, the lifetime risk of stroke has increased by 50%, with 1 in 4 adults expected to experience a stroke in their lifetime.
In 2021, stroke was the third leading cause of death and disability worldwide, accounting for an estimated 93.8 million cases, including 11.9 million new cases.
A resolution to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems was approved, recognizing risk-based prioritization of medicine and vaccine safety monitoring.
The Global Strategy for Integrated Emergency, Critical and Operative (ECO) Care 2026–2035 was approved; ECO conditions account for an estimated 38 million deaths and 1.3 billion disability adjusted life years annually.
A resolution to strengthen equitable access to diagnostic imaging through teleradiology was endorsed.
The Assembly considered Argentina’s withdrawal notification from WHO and agreed no further action at this stage is desirable.
Key figures
WHO Director-General (requested to submit a final report on global health architecture reforms to next year’s Assembly)
Egypt (proposed the stroke resolution)
Chile, Georgia, Palestine, Paraguay, Tunisia (co-sponsored the stroke resolution)
Argentina (submitted withdrawal notification from WHO)
Sources: World Health Organization
