The Global Healthcare Information Network/HIFA is proud to be one of 217 non-state actors worldwide in official relations with the World Health Organization.
Our privileges include the opportunity to make official statements at the annual World Health Assembly.
This year, HIFA steering group member Dr Meena Nathan Cherian kindly represented HIFA at WHA 79.
She presented the following statement on our behalf in the context of the WHA agenda item 12.4 on Universal Health Coverage, on 22 May 2025. The statement is now included in the official record of WHA.
"Universal access to reliable healthcare information is essential for universal health coverage. Every person and every healthcare worker needs access to relevant and reliable healthcare information to protect their own health and the health of others.
"A recent global consultation by Global Healthcare Information Network (HIFA.org) concluded that this can only be achieved if WHO explicitly champions universal access to reliable healthcare information and leads efforts to strengthen the global evidence ecosystem.
"We commend WHO for launching the Global Coalition for Evidence to strengthen the ecosystem. We invite our colleagues across WHO and all stakeholders to work with us to strengthen the ecosystem."
The sttatement can be seen live on the WHO website - select [WHA79 - Committee A, Ninth Committee A meeting, 22/05/2026 - 09:05-12:11] and then move the cursor to: 2:01:28.
With thanks, Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator