WHO and Wellcome Trust combine expertise in R&D, innovation, epidemics and antimicrobial resistance to deliver a shared vision of a healthier world. Wellcome was admitted as a non-state actor in official relations with WHO in February 2018.1
The partnership between both organizations currently focuses on three broad areas of work: health emergencies and epidemic preparedness, anti-microbial resistance and supporting the acceleration of health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, innovation and data.
Epidemic preparedness is key for both organizations. As part of a joint initiative with the UK’s Department for International Development, Wellcome is one of the partners providing funding for WHO’s Research and Development (R&D) Blueprint activities. The R&D Blueprint is a global strategy and preparedness plan that allows the rapid activation of R&D activities during epidemics. The WHO R&D blueprint was able to fast track the research and development and facilitate access to an Ebola vaccine that continues to save lives in the current Ebola outbreak. So far, more than 100 000 people have been vaccinated against the disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Over the new year, Dr Tedros, Director-General of WHO and Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome Trust, travelled to the affected areas to show their solidarity with patients and health workers.
On antimicrobial resistance, Wellcome is working with WHO to tackle drug-resistant infections in several areas. Support from Wellcome has allowed WHO to advance global surveillance of drug resistance, increase responsible use of antibiotics and deliver the governance work of the UN Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (IACG).
Very pleased with this partnership between @WHO and @wellcometrust to take on big challenges in global health. Looking forward to work closer with you and your team, @JeremyFarrar!https://t.co/wDeizfhO6H
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 23, 2019
To accelerate progress towards achieving SDG 3, Wellcome and WHO have agreed to work closely on R&D, innovation and access and making use of both organizations’ shared expertise as part of WHO’s Global Action Plan on the Sustainable Develop Goals.
The collaboration continues to expand and strengthen as both partners look towards the future of health. In January 2019 Dr Farrar and Dr Tedros met on the Friendship Bench at the World Economic Forum, where they discussed improving mental health in the workplace in light of the ILO’s Work for a Brighter Future guidelines.
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1 “Official relations” is a status that the Executive Board may grant to nongovernmental organizations, international business associations and philanthropic foundations that have had and continue to have a sustained and systematic engagement in the interest of WHO.