Geneva [Switzerland]: The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to inaugurate its state-of-the-art WHO Academy in Lyon, France, on December 17. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement, calling the Academy a milestone in global health training and capacity-building efforts.
From Concept to Reality
Dr. Ghebreyesus revealed that the Academy’s creation stemmed from a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron during the G20 Leaders Summit in Argentina in 2018. The dialogue sparked the idea of revolutionizing health professional training on a global scale.
“The WHO Academy represents a cornerstone of WHO’s Transformation agenda, launched in 2017 to make the organization more responsive to country needs,” Ghebreyesus wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Bridging Global Health Gaps
The Academy addresses critical gaps in health workforce training, particularly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The global shortage of 10 million health workers underscores the need for comprehensive, lifelong learning programs.
“The Academy delivers the scale of training necessary to achieve health for all,” Ghebreyesus said. It integrates cutting-edge scientific advances and tailored learning solutions, including emergency preparedness and response.
State-of-the-Art Learning Hub
The Academy boasts:
- An Advanced Campus: A modern facility in Lyon for in-person and remote training.
- Intelligent Online Platform: Free access to world-class courses on priority health topics.
- Global Collaboration: Support from the French government, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and Lyon Metropole.
Vision for Global Health
The WHO Academy envisions a world where every health worker, policymaker, and WHO team member is equipped with essential skills to achieve universal health coverage.
“Implementing WHO standards has often been challenging due to inadequate training. The Academy bridges this gap by offering comprehensive solutions for today’s health workforce,” Ghebreyesus emphasized.
Call to Action
The WHO Chief invited member states and health professionals worldwide to join the celebration of this groundbreaking initiative, marking a significant step towards global health excellence.
