Guinea-Bissau on the road to the 79th World Health Assembly

Bissau-World Health Organization organized a preparatory briefing session at the Ministry of Public Health headquarters in Bissau to support Guinea-Bissau's participation in the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), scheduled to take place from 18 to 23 May 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

The World Health Assembly is the main global forum where Member States come together to discuss international health priorities, shape global health policies, and define pathways to improve health outcomes worldwide.

Reflecting on national priorities and global health challenges

The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on current health priorities and challenges affecting populations in Guinea-Bissau, as well as recent progress and opportunities to accelerate the country's path towards Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

Aligned with this year's Assembly theme, "Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility", discussions addressed Guinea-Bissau's vulnerabilities and contributions to ongoing global debates on health governance, climate change and adaptation, malaria, antimicrobial resistance, noncommunicable diseases, data transformation and artificial intelligence, revised International Health Regulations, and health sovereignty, among other topics.

Progress highlighted

During the session, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Guinea-Bissau, briefed the delegation on the sixth edition of the "Walk the Talk" event, scheduled for Sunday, 17 May 2026, and highlighted recent public health achievements in the country.

Among the progress noted were the reduction in malaria prevalence and the successful introduction of the malaria vaccine, the closure of the circulating variant poliovirus type 2 outbreak that affected the country in 2021, and advances in tuberculosis case detection. These achievements represent important steps towards strengthening prevention efforts and protecting more children and communities.

Moving forward together

WHO reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting Guinea-Bissau in strengthening health systems and advancing equitable access to health services.

Together, partners continue working towards a healthier and more resilient Guinea-Bissau.