As the World Health Organization WHO Academy opened in France on Tuesday, 17th December, 2024, more than 5,000 learners from 172 countries have already registered in the learning platform, accessing the first 37 courses.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedro Ghebreyesus who disclosed this while giving his remarks at the Academy opening ceremony revealed that hundreds of additional courses will be soon hosted on the platform, in six WHO official languages, and many more.
He said further that the in-person workshops have already been delivered in Lyon and in the field, includes Africa and 8 Nations while called for partnership, saying developing such unique learning ecosystem requires partnerships and collaboration.
“Your support will enable the WHO Academy to drive lifelong learning in health as a global priority. Together, we can shape the world’s first global health learning hub, contribute to WHO’s objective of saving 40 million lives over the next four years.
The DG added, “Your investment in the WHO Academy is an investment in equity, health and education. But ultimately, it’s investment in people, for a healthier, safer, fairer future for all which will develop and disseminate quality standards in health education”.
Speaking of it benefits, Ghebreyesus said the WHO Academy will create high-quality, learner-oriented courses, based on priorities of WHO and its Member States, adding that It will build a global learning ecosystem that promotes lifelong learning practices at WHO and across the health sector.
He traced the idea for the WHO Academy back to his time as Minister of Health in Ethiopia, when he wanted to transform the country’s health system, and was looking for guidance on how to do it.
The DG said, “WHO is known for its world-class technical products – guidelines, norms and standards – but translating them into real-world action has often been hindered by a lack of institutionalized training.
“Our products sometimes sit unused on shelves or unopened in email inboxes. While WHO has rich knowledge and expertise, until now we have had no institutionalized way of sharing it. And so the idea for the WHO Academy was born”, he explained.
“Its mission is simple but ambitious: a new institution to equip health and care workers, policymakers and the WHO workforce with the skills and competencies they need to deliver health for all, including for epidemics, pandemics and other emerging threats. 
“The Academy is one of more than 50 initiatives in a comprehensive set of reforms that we have been implementing since 2017, to make WHO more effective, efficient and responsive to the needs, risks, and challenges that countries face”.
He thanked France for its strong commitment to the success of the WHO Academy, and especially to the President Emmanuel Macron, for his personal engagement and leadership since the very first conversation.
The DG extended gratitude to the Region of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, the Metropole of Lyon, the City of Lyon and the Government of France for their support in the construction of the Academy stunning building.
He said, “Thanks also to our generous donors, and to the more-than 30 countries that have joined the Academy Group of Friends, which was founded by France, Indonesia, Japan, Rwanda, and Qatar at the last World Health Assembly”.
