More than 220 WHO collaborating centres from the WHO European Region are part of the nearly 500 centres globally who have signed an open letter of support for WHO, published in The Lancet.
The letter, authored and endorsed by directors of WHO collaborating centres worldwide, reaffirms the global scientific community’s confidence in WHO’s leadership, mission and mandate. It also expresses concern over the impact of sudden funding cuts, which have disrupted essential health services in multiple countries, including immunization programmes, maternal and child health services, and emergency preparedness.
It calls on Member States, donors, partners and other stakeholders “to continue investing in WHO to promote health and safety while helping vulnerable populations worldwide”.
“WHO collaborating centres are an essential part of our global public health work. At a time when sudden funding cuts are putting lives at risk and threatening decades of progress, their commitment shows what we can achieve through science, trust and working together,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.
He continued, “This open letter is a clear reminder that by investing in WHO’s mission, we can protect the world’s most vulnerable and prevent small problems from becoming global crises. Together, we are stronger.”
WHO collaborating centres have supported the work of the Organization since its founding, contributing critical research, technical expertise and policy guidance across every major health area. The message from European centres highlights the strength of WHO/Europe’s scientific network and its deep commitment to multilateralism, cooperation and global health equity.
Professor Martin McKee, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Chronic Conditions at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (United Kingdom), explained, “This letter is a powerful vote of confidence in WHO by the hundreds of leading scientists worldwide who volunteer their time and effort to the shared goal of promoting and protecting the health of people everywhere.”
He added, “It is a reminder of how WHO, through its extensive collaborations, continues to punch far above its weight.”
The full letter is available on The Lancet’s website.