Global leaders urge stronger regional action for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health at WHA78

 As health ministers and multilateral agencies gathered for the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva last week, a clear message emerged: the health of women, children, and adolescents (WCAH) must be elevated on regional political agendas amid ongoing aid constraints and stark survival gaps across countries.

At a high-level event co-hosted by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (PMNCH) and the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health (GLN), speakers emphasized the urgent need for stronger political alignment and regional collaboration to accelerate progress.

“There is an increasing role we can and must play regionally, aligning efforts and collaborating,” said South African Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi.

“This is why we are very proud to provide the highest political support through the Global Leaders Network for women, children, and adolescents. Led by President Ramaphosa and supported by other sitting heads of state and governments, and ministers of health and ambassadors, the GLN advocates for the attainment of the SDG targets for women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health.”

The call came amid sobering data on child survival. In 2023, one in 15 children in Sub-Saharan Africa died before reaching their fifth birthday.

This mortality rate remains 14 times higher than that of children born in high-income countries, and almost 20 years behind the global average, where this level of progress was reached in 2004.

Beyond early childhood, adolescents in low- and middle-income countries continue to face persistent barriers in accessing essential health services, particularly for mental and sexual, and reproductive health.

These inequities were a recurring concern throughout the WHA78 deliberations.

In a statement delivered on behalf of 47 Member States of the WHO African Region, Angola acknowledged the progress made in recent years, but warned that the leading causes of maternal, newborn, and child deaths remain largely preventable. Despite progress, the main causes of maternal, newborn, and child death are preventable. We must work jointly to set the progress and recognize the setbacks,” the statement read.

It also emphasized the importance of coordinated regional responses, improved health financing, and sustainable investments in national health systems.

As part of the effort to catalyse regional support, the Global Leaders Network joined forces with PMNCH and global health advocacy group PATH to convene a strategic dialogue during WHA78.

The session brought together senior representatives from a range of multilateral and regional bodies, including the European Union, the Asian Development Bank, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and the G20.

The Ministry of Health in Oman was also represented, with Dr. Sami Al-Farsi joining the discussions.

The dialogue focused on two main areas: accelerating action in priority countries and strengthening national data systems for WCAH. Participants emphasized the need for follow-up mechanisms that can track commitments, monitor implementation, and reinforce political accountability at both regional and global levels.

These efforts align with broader commitments made during WHA78, including the renewal of the strategic partnership between the African Union and the World Health Organization to advance reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) across the continent.

Throughout the week’s events, stakeholders underscored the importance of sustained momentum, high-level engagement, and a rights-based approach that supports health and well-being across the life course.

Leaders reaffirmed their support for the Global Leaders Network, framing it as a crucial vehicle for elevating WCAH in national and regional policy dialogues.

“There is an increasing role we can and must play regionally,” Dr. Motsoaledi reiterated. “Aligning efforts and collaborating” was a recurring theme across sessions, echoing a shared understanding that fragmentation and underinvestment could risk reversing the gains made so far.

While many challenges remain—including limited fiscal space, data gaps, and unequal access to care—advocates say the political commitment expressed at WHA78 offers a foundation for more coordinated and equity-driven action.

As health systems globally adjust to a constrained funding environment, the message from Geneva was clear: investing in women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health is not optional—it is fundamental to achieving sustainable development and ensuring no one is left behind.