Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Commonwealth Secretariat have renewed their WHO Commonwealth health partnership with a stronger focus on reducing health inequalities and protecting people from financial hardship caused by healthcare costs.
The four-year agreement, signed on Tuesday by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will support health cooperation across the Commonwealth’s 56 member countries.
Under the renewed WHO Commonwealth health partnership, the two organisations will help countries improve access to essential health services and strengthen financial protection, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The partnership will also address gender inequalities and social and policy factors that contribute to poor health outcomes.
“This strategic partnership between WHO and the Commonwealth Secretariat has a dual purpose: to strengthen health systems for the long term while helping countries respond to urgent health threats,” Tedros said.
“By combining WHO’s technical expertise with the Commonwealth’s unique ability to convene leaders and drive collective action, we will be able to better support countries to protect health, advance universal health coverage, and build resilience for future generations,” he added.
The renewed agreement places primary healthcare at the centre of efforts to improve health outcomes.
It will also promote digital health solutions and evidence-based policies while encouraging countries to prepare their health systems for the effects of climate change.
WHO and the Commonwealth Secretariat said particular attention would be given to small states and other vulnerable countries and populations.
The organisations said the renewed partnership would help countries translate shared health priorities into practical action.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey said the renewed WHO Commonwealth health partnership reflected a commitment to turning shared ambitions into measurable improvements for people across member states.
“The renewal of this Memorandum of Understanding reflects our determination to turn shared ambition into practical results for the people of the Commonwealth,” Botchwey said.
She said partnerships remained central to the Commonwealth Strategic Plan because no single institution could address the complex health and development challenges facing countries.
“Our Commonwealth Strategic Plan places partnerships at the heart of delivery, recognising that no institution can meet today’s complex health and development challenges alone,” she said.
Botchwey said cooperation with WHO would help build healthier and more prosperous communities across the Commonwealth.
The agreement comes as countries face continuing pressure to expand healthcare access while protecting households from the financial consequences of illness.
By combining WHO’s technical expertise with the Commonwealth’s convening power, the organisations aim to support governments in strengthening health systems and advancing universal health coverage.
The WHO Commonwealth health partnership will also encourage countries to strengthen resilience against emerging health threats and climate-related risks.
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Korede Abdullah 
Mirian Gom 