Six reforms to make WHO ready for the future (5/6)

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Published: 2026-05-21 | Updated: 2026-05-21

Reform 5: Improve country-level relevance.

In The Lancet (April 2026), Anders Nordström, John Nkengasong, Peter Piot, Magda Robalo Correia e Silva, Ala Alwan, Ethel L Maciel, Ren Minghui, and Michel Kazatchkine lay out the case for focused, ambitious reform.

WHO should tailor country offices to local needs and decentralise authority and resources. Country archetypes should be clearly articulated, such as fragile states, emerging capacity, and high capacity. WHO’s role in each country should be tailored and regularly reviewed. 

Read more: https://www.globalhealthdiplomacy.se/who-worth-fighting-for-authors-make-the-case-for-ambitious-reform