78th World Health Assembly Recap with Yvette Raphael

Cohosts Yvette Raphael and Ben Plumley unpick the major news coming out of the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva. – from the new pandemic treaty, to WHO budget and staffing cuts, to increases in membership fees and voluntary contributions. They ruminate on how the current seemingly-unstoppable geopolitical chaos is affecting the ability of global health institutions like the World Health Organisation to deliver – and deliver on what exactly? What can the WHO actually do in such a fractured political climate? They reflect on US Secretary of Health and Human Service’s video presentation to the World Health Assembly, which at the very best, can't be called the best example of American power and diplomacy. Which perhaps was the point. They cover a few broader issues Which leads them to a few extra-curricular activities – the diplomatic manner in which South African President Cyril Ramaphosa immediately deflected a bizarre meeting at the US White House, complete with lies, videotape and no offers of jumbo jets. Before hitting Geneva, Yvette was at the European Congress on Obesity and Weight Management in Barcelona delving into the complex interactions between HIV and weight issues. They close out a no holds barred conversation on a recent announcement made by the Global Fund of a new groundbreaking partnership between Mozambique and a Kenyan pharmaceutical company, which they were too coy to name. So Yvette and Ben give the company, United Corporation Ltd of Kenya a big shout out… 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:24 Support and Subscription Reminder 00:56 World Health Assembly Recap Begins 01:23 Yvette's European Trip and Obesity Congress 02:02 HIV and Weight Issues Discussion 04:09 Elon Musk's Controversial Comments 08:19 Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance 14:32 WHO Budget Cuts and Leadership Changes 18:15 Global South's Role in Health Funding 28:45 China's Growing Influence in Global Health 33:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 45:14 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements 💬 Join the Conversation How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🔔Subscribe & Stay Updated Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform Check out our Youtube channel for more in-depth global health discussions https://www.youtube.com/@shotarmpodcast