Dr. Hanan Balkhy, Saudi Arabia’s candidate to lead the World Health Organization (WHO), has outlined her vision for a more effective global health agency. Her approach focuses on rebuilding international cooperation, enhancing funding mechanisms, and translating scientific guidance into tangible healthcare improvements. Balkhy shared her insights during an appearance on the Arab News program “Frankly Speaking,” emphasizing the need for a WHO that serves the entire world.
Strengthening Global Health Cooperation
Balkhy aims to restore trust and cooperation among nations, particularly with the United States, which has previously withdrawn from the WHO. She believes that the departure of any member state weakens the global health community, as health issues in one country can have far-reaching effects. “We can always discuss things. We can always come back and understand where did things go wrong and how can they be rectified,” she stated, highlighting the importance of dialogue in rebuilding relationships.
Her experience as a physician and public health leader has equipped her to address the gaps between WHO’s guidance and its implementation. Balkhy emphasized that effective health policies must be closely aligned with the realities of hospitals and health systems. “In order to actualize those core components and those guidelines, you need to understand how the hospitals work and how the communities interact with the health care authorities at the country level,” she explained.
Funding and Resource Management
Funding remains a critical concern for both the WHO and national health services. Balkhy plans to explore diverse funding sources, including Islamic health financing and partnerships between public and private sectors. She noted that the US withdrawal, alongside broader discussions about reorganizing the UN system, presents an opportunity for the WHO to clarify its core mandate and rethink its relationships with other agencies.
“It’s not just about the financial support that the US had provided, but the amazing experts that they have,” Balkhy remarked, stressing the need for the expertise that member states contribute to collective health efforts. She aims to ensure that countries can sustain essential health services, especially as international funding declines.
Addressing Health Challenges in Conflict Zones
Balkhy also highlighted the importance of international health cooperation in conflict zones, citing the WHO’s work in Gaza as an example. Emergency health operations not only protect those affected by conflict but also mitigate the risk of disease transmission beyond these areas. “What the outside world does not also understand quite well is that we’re also protecting the rest of the world from the ripple effect of disease transmission,” she stated.
In regions like Syria, the WHO is focused on rebuilding health systems and supporting local authorities in developing national health plans. Balkhy sees potential for Syrian doctors abroad to return and contribute to this recovery, emphasizing the need for a robust health workforce.
Future Preparedness and Prevention
Looking ahead, Balkhy stresses the importance of trust in preparing for future outbreaks. She believes that stigma and fear of international repercussions can hinder timely reporting of infections. “Once we take away the worry about the reporting process, we can be more mindful and focused on mitigating and what we would call breaking the chain of transmission,” she noted.
Her vision for the WHO includes a commitment to prevention, particularly in addressing chronic health issues like diabetes and obesity. Balkhy advocates for initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles, stating, “Definitely prevention is much cheaper than treatment.”
As she prepares for her potential role as director-general, Balkhy aims for measurable improvements in the WHO’s performance and support for member states. Her overarching goal is to create a WHO that is “built on trust, driven by impact, and measured by the value that we provide for the people that we serve.” For more insights on her vision, visit Arab News.
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