Adar Poonawala : Serum Institute of India (SII) chief Adar Poonawala said on Thursday that the role of the World Health Organization is essential to maintain the global health system smoothly. It is noteworthy that the US has recently separated itself from this organization.
Poonawala Appealed to Fund WHO : In an interview to the media at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos, Poonawala said that WHO plays an important role in maintaining global standards on medicines and vaccines. Apart from this, the organization also contributes to testing, research and monitoring. Poonawala said, "WHO maintains global standards for medicines and vaccines and is essential for maintaining global health systems, testing, research and monitoring."
America stopped funding WHO
His remarks came at a time when the administration led by new US President Donald Trump has stopped funding the WHO. Soon after taking oath for his second term, Trump signed an order to separate the US from the WHO. It said that the WHO did not handle the Covid pandemic properly and received huge funds from the US compared to big countries like China.
Poonawala appealed to other countries to fund WHO
The US has long been the largest contributor to the WHO's mission, contributing $1.28 billion in 2022 and 2023. Germany was the second largest contributor, with $400 million. Poonawala appealed to other countries to come forward and fund the WHO so that the agency does not face a funding shortfall due to the US withdrawal. "We are here calling on leaders and others to come forward to fill that gap. There are many countries who can do this and $500 million is not a very large amount for countries that can contribute to it."
SII is tackling the challenge of malaria
He also explained how SII is tackling the challenge of malaria by making vaccines available, especially in poor countries. The CEO said that SII is "trying to reduce malaria in African countries by making vaccines available", and called for collaboration between governments and private entities to develop affordable solutions for various other diseases. "With our capacity and partnerships, our goal is to ensure that everyone who needs these vaccines can get these vaccines," he said. Poonawalla said that despite all efforts globally, malaria remains a serious global health threat, especially in the African region. In 2023, an estimated 263 million cases of malaria were reported worldwide and 597,000 deaths occurred. There were about 11 million more cases and almost the same number of deaths in 2023 compared to 2022. Poonawalla said that SII is sending the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, which has an efficacy of 77 per cent, to African countries.
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