Read online: https://www.hifa.org/news/hifa-makes-official-statement-79th-world-healt...
The Global Healthcare Information Network/HIFA is proud to be one of 217 organisations worldwide in official relations with the World Health Organization.
https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/executive-board/list-of-en...
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 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 statement can also be seen live on the WHO website. Go to https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-ninth - 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
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org