WHO Engagement

Official Relations with the World Health Organization

The Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) is proud to maintain official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. This formal relationship enables GSCF to contribute directly to global health policy discussions and provide technical expertise on self-care at the highest international level.

GSCF's engagement with WHO is grounded in a shared recognition that self-care is an essential component of primary healthcare and universal health coverage. Through this partnership, GSCF works alongside WHO to advance evidence-based self-care policies, support the integration of self-care interventions into national health strategies, and promote health literacy and empowerment for individuals and communities worldwide.

WHO Resolution on Self-Care

In May 2023, the World Health Assembly adopted a landmark Resolution on Self-Care (WHA76.2), recognising self-care as a vital component of health systems and calling on Member States to integrate self-care interventions into their national health policies and strategies. The resolution represents a significant milestone in the global recognition of self-care's contribution to better health outcomes and more sustainable healthcare systems.

Key provisions of the resolution include:

128|
• Encouraging Member States to develop and implement national self-care policies and guidelines aligned with WHO recommendations.
129|
• Supporting the development and dissemination of evidence-based self-care interventions across a range of health areas, including sexual and reproductive health, non-communicable diseases, and infectious diseases.
130|
• Promoting health literacy and empowering individuals, families, and communities to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being.
131|
• Strengthening surveillance and monitoring of self-care interventions to ensure safety, quality, and effectiveness.
132|
• Fostering multi-sectoral collaboration between health, education, and social protection sectors to create enabling environments for self-care.
133|

GSCF Advocacy at the World Health Assembly

The World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of WHO, convenes annually in Geneva, bringing together health ministers, policymakers, and civil society organisations from all Member States. GSCF participates in WHA sessions as a non-state actor in official relations with WHO, submitting statements, engaging in technical briefings, and advocating for the inclusion of self-care in global health agendas.

GSCF's advocacy at WHA focuses on several key priorities:

142|
• Universal Health Coverage: Demonstrating how self-care interventions can accelerate progress toward UHC by expanding access to essential health services and products, particularly for underserved populations.
143|
• Primary Healthcare: Advocating for the inclusion of self-care as a cornerstone of primary healthcare delivery, enabling communities to take greater responsibility for their own health in partnership with healthcare providers.
144|
• Non-Communicable Diseases: Highlighting the role of self-care in the prevention and management of NCDs, including through responsible self-medication, lifestyle modifications, and adherence to treatment regimens.
145|
• Health Emergency Preparedness: Emphasising the importance of self-care in building resilient health systems capable of responding to pandemics and other health emergencies.
146|

Key Initiatives & Contributions

WHO Guideline on Self-Care Interventions

GSCF has contributed technical expertise to the development of WHO guidelines on self-care interventions for health and well-being. These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on the use of self-care interventions across a range of health areas, supporting countries in integrating self-care into their national health policies and programmes.

WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy

GSCF engages with WHO's work on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine, recognising the intersection between traditional medicine practices and self-care. The Federation provides input on regulatory frameworks, quality standards, and safety monitoring to ensure that traditional and complementary self-care products meet appropriate standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.

Technical Briefings & Side Events

During WHA sessions and other WHO meetings, GSCF organises and participates in technical briefings and side events that showcase the evidence base for self-care, highlight best practices from around the world, and facilitate dialogue between policymakers, practitioners, and researchers. These events serve as platforms for knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving on the most pressing health challenges of our time.

Collaboration with WHO Regional Offices

Beyond its engagement with WHO headquarters in Geneva, GSCF collaborates with WHO Regional Offices around the world to support the regional adaptation and implementation of self-care policies. These regional partnerships enable GSCF to address the specific health priorities and contextual factors that shape self-care practices in different parts of the world, from the African Region to the Western Pacific.

Through its official relations with WHO and its engagement with regional offices, the Global Self-Care Federation remains at the forefront of efforts to integrate self-care into the global health architecture, ensuring that individuals and communities everywhere have the knowledge, tools, and support they need to take charge of their own health.