Synopsis
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, emphasized the critical role of WHO in global health systems despite the US withdrawal. He urged nations to fill the funding gap and discussed SII's efforts in combating malaria with vaccines.Key Takeaways
- Adar Poonawalla advocates for WHO's essential role in global health.
- US withdrawal from WHO creates a funding gap.
- SII is combating malaria through vaccine distribution.
- Collaboration between governments and private sectors is crucial.
- WHO data indicates ongoing malaria challenges.
New Delhi, Jan 23 (NationPress) Despite the withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organization, Adar Poonawalla, the chief of the Serum Institute of India (SII), asserted on Thursday that the UN health agency’s role is vital for the global health framework.
During a media discussion at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos, Poonawalla highlighted that the WHO is instrumental in upholding international standards for medicines and vaccines. Furthermore, the agency plays a significant part in testing, research, and surveillance.
"They (WHO) establish and uphold global standards for medicines and vaccines, which are crucial for maintaining healthcare systems worldwide, alongside testing, research, and surveillance," Poonawalla stated.
His remarks come in light of the recent decision by the newly re-elected Donald Trump administration in the US to cease funding to the WHO. Following his second-term inauguration, Trump enacted an executive order for withdrawal, citing the WHO's mishandling of the Covid pandemic and the agency's demand for "unfairly onerous payments" from the US, disproportionate to the contributions made by other larger nations, including China.
The US has historically been the largest financial supporter of the WHO, contributing $1.28 billion in 2022 and 2023—$400 million more than Germany, which ranks as the second-largest contributor.
Poonawalla urged other nations to rise to the occasion and fill the funding void left by the US.
"We have been encouraging leaders and stakeholders here to help bridge that gap because there are other countries capable of contributing, and $500 million is not a substantial amount in the broader context for nations to support," he remarked. He also discussed how SII is addressing the global malaria crisis by supplying vaccines, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions.
SII is "working to diminish malaria prevalence in Africa by providing vaccines that can save lives," the CEO stated, emphasizing the need for collaboration between governments and private sectors to devise affordable solutions for various diseases.
"With our capabilities and partnerships, we aspire to guarantee that every individual in need of these vaccines has access to them," he added.
According to data from WHO, approximately 2.2 billion malaria cases and 12.7 million deaths have been prevented since 2000, yet the disease continues to pose a significant global health challenge, especially in the WHO African Region.
In 2023, the worldwide estimates indicated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths—showing an increase of about 11 million cases compared to 2022, with deaths remaining nearly unchanged.
Poonawalla highlighted that SII has been distributing the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine to African nations, which boasts an efficacy rate of 77 percent.
