India contributes to WHO

Context: India has pledged over $300 million to the WHO’s core programme for 2025-2028, making it the largest contributor in Southeast Asia.

• Allocation breakdown: $250 million for the Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine. $38 million for a new premises for WHO’s regional office. $10 million for digital health initiatives. $4.6 million for thematic funding.

• $250 million for the Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine.

• $38 million for a new premises for WHO’s regional office.

• $10 million for digital health initiatives.

• $4.6 million for thematic funding.

• WHO funding gap: WHO seeks to fill a $7.1 billion funding gap and has received pledges totaling over $2.2 billion.

• WHO’s 2025-2028 Mandate: The funds will be used to: Save at least 40 million lives. Deliver vaccines to priority countries. Support 55 countries in training and employing 3.2 million health workers. Prequalify 400 health products per year.

• The funds will be used to: Save at least 40 million lives. Deliver vaccines to priority countries. Support 55 countries in training and employing 3.2 million health workers. Prequalify 400 health products per year.

• Save at least 40 million lives.

• Deliver vaccines to priority countries.

• Support 55 countries in training and employing 3.2 million health workers.

• Prequalify 400 health products per year.

• Regional contributions: Countries in WHO’s South-East Asia Region have pledged over $345 million in funding for WHO’s core programme.

• Upcoming events: A pledging ceremony will take place in November at the G-20 summit in Brazil.

Relevance to UPSC Syllabus

• GS II (Governance): India’s role in international organizations like WHO.

• GS II (International Relations): Bilateral and regional contributions to global health initiatives.

• GS II (Health): Public health funding and India’s commitment to global health.

• GS IV (Ethics in International Relations): Ethical responsibilities of countries in supporting global health and “Health for all” initiatives.