Although its reach is worldwide much of IAPO’s work with World Health Organization (WHO) takes place through the WHO headquarters in Geneva. However, the WHO’s agendas are often led from the national and regional level. Therefore, patient involvement at the regional and national level is equally as important. IAPO Members can greatly strengthen the role of the patient voice by working with their national and regional WHO offices to demonstrate the value of the patient perspective and the need for a patient-centred approach in all decision-making. Likewise, the WHO can be a powerful partner when engaging your local government, for example when advocating for improved patients rights, access to medicines or making patient safety recommendations.

At the 2010 Global Patients Congress, IAPO held a workshop on engaging with the WHO and the presentations may serve as a useful resource when considering your own strategy. Information on how the WHO is organized, regional office locations and its focus and responsibilities can be found in this presentation, as well as an example from the Uganda National Health/Consumers’ Organization that shows how the WHO supported their campaign for a patients’ rights charter.

How can IAPO help?

• Register IAPO Member Representatives as IAPO delegates at the Executive Board and World Health Assembly
If you are working on an agenda item being discussed at the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board (EB) or World Health Assembly (WHA) or are interested in attending to develop your networks, IAPO can register you as an IAPO delegate giving you entry to the meetings for their duration. However, IAPO is unable to cover any costs associated with your participation at the meeting.

• Facilitate IAPO Member’s to make an intervention at the Executive Board and World Health Assembly
At the January 2010 meeting of the WHO Executive Board, Charles Gore of the Hepatitis C Trust (IAPO Member, UK), facilitated by IAPO and on behalf of the World Hepatitis Alliance, made an intervention under the agenda item: viral hepatitis. If you are working on an agenda item being discussed by the World Health Assembly or Executive Board, IAPO can support you to make an intervention, in person, on behalf of your organization. This will be determined on a case by case basis as to the intervention being inline with IAPO's approach and policies and is subject to the approval of the IAPO Governing Board. Charles Gores shares his experience of this process in this article on the IAPO website.

If you are interested in either of these opportunities or would like to find out more about working with the WHO, please contact Jeremiah Mwangi by email at jeremiah@patientsorganizations.org.