[Comment] Offline: Watching the watchers (part 4)

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Source: The Lancet

Original: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02583-8/fullt...

Published: 2026-01-03

The People's Health Movement (PHM) criticizes the World Health Organization (WHO) for its compromised leadership and the diminishing space for civil society participation in its processes[1]. Global Health Watch 7, PHM's main monitoring report, points to the politicization of the World Health Group, where conservative governments often block discussions on gender and sexual health[1]. WHO faces financial problems due to its dependence on volatile voluntary contributions, which skew its priorities towards the interests of donors[1]. The report also criticizes the growing influence of private entities and multistakeholder initiatives at the expense of civil society participation[1]. PHM calls for reforms to democratize WHO, ensure flexible funding and strengthen its capacity to address politically sensitive health determinants such as conflict and reproductive rights[1]. The authors of GHW7 are skeptical of WHO's ability to influence global health policy and conclude that the need for a renaissance in the agency is now greater than ever[1].