WHO appoints Dr. Vanessa Kerry as Special Envoy to strengthen sustainable health financing
Kerry will work with governments, development partners, multilateral institutions, civil society and the private sector to advocate for stronger health systems and more sustainable health financing.
SWITZERLAND—The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed Dr Vanessa Kerry as the WHO Director-General’s Special Envoy for Health Resilience, expanding her previous work on climate change and health.
Kerry previously served as WHO’s first Director-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health.
In her new role, she will promote resilient, integrated and sustainably financed health systems that can respond to routine health needs as well as emerging threats, including climate change, health emergencies, and other global challenges.
Strengthening health systems and financing
Kerry will work with governments, development partners, multilateral institutions, civil society and the private sector to advocate for stronger health systems and more sustainable health financing.
Her work will also focus on improving coordination among global health partners and ensuring that financial and technical resources support national health priorities.
In addition, she will advocate for greater investment in integrated health systems and sustainable financing for universal health coverage, including through domestic resource mobilization.
“Her leadership in elevating climate change as a critical health issue has helped build momentum for stronger and more resilient health systems,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Tedros added that Kerry’s new role would help countries secure the financing, partnerships, and integrated approaches required to withstand current and future health challenges.
As Special Envoy, Kerry will provide high level advocacy with decision makers at global, regional and national levels.
She will also support resource mobilization and provide strategic advice to WHO leadership on strengthening health system resilience.
Focus on climate resilience
The new role will maintain a strong focus on climate-resilient health systems, building on Kerry’s previous work at WHO.
She will advocate for investments in health workers, infrastructure and sustainable, country-led financing approaches.
WHO said the position would also promote greater coordination among global health organizations and encourage partners to align their efforts with national priorities.
The approach aims to move away from fragmented programmes towards more coherent health systems that countries can lead and sustain.
“I am honoured to continue my partnership with WHO in this new capacity,” said Kerry.
“Resilience is not a singular program. It is the foundation a health system needs to function every day and to withstand pressure, whether from a changing climate, a funding cut or a pandemic.”
She said countries must build this foundation over time by investing in their health workforce, financing and infrastructure.
Kerry will work with WHO and its partners to advance these priorities as the global health landscape continues to evolve.
The appointment forms part of WHO’s broader efforts to help countries strengthen health systems, expand universal health coverage and prepare for increasingly complex health risks.
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