JLN represented by Rahul S. Reddy, Executive Director, joined global health leaders, civil society organizations, Member States, and the World Health Organization (WHO) leadership during the World Health Assembly (WHA79) side event, “Domestic Leadership in Health Financing: A Dialogue with the WHO Director-General.” The event was convened by Save the Children under the WHO Civil Society Commission and brought together stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable health financing and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The dialogue took place against a backdrop of growing fiscal pressure on health systems worldwide. Participants highlighted concerns over declining development assistance for health, increasing debt burdens, and the urgent need for countries to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and improve the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of health spending. Discussions reinforced the importance of positioning health not as a cost, but as a strategic investment that drives economic growth, resilience, and social development.
Representing Amref Health Africa and JLN, Rahul contributed a technical perspective on accountability for domestic health financing, emphasizing the need for measurable spending benchmarks, stronger governance mechanisms, and evidence-based approaches that translate financing commitments into tangible UHC outcomes. He highlighted the value of peer learning and country-to-country collaboration in helping governments identify practical solutions for improving the effectiveness and impact of health investments.
The dialogue culminated in the presentation of consolidated civil society recommendations developed through consultations involving more than 200 organizations globally. Key recommendations called for increased investment in primary health care, stronger domestic financing targets, institutionalized civil society engagement, and enhanced transparency and accountability in health financing systems.
For JLN, the discussions underscored the network’s long-standing commitment to supporting countries in strengthening health financing systems through collaborative learning and practical implementation. As countries navigate an evolving global health financing landscape, JLN remains dedicated to facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience that enables governments to achieve more equitable, efficient, and sustainable pathways toward Universal Health Coverage.
The dialogue also contributed to broader global discussions on the Economics of Health for All and helped shape priorities ahead of the 2027 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage, where domestic leadership in health financing is expected to remain a central theme.
