SWITZERLAND —India has been re-elected as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) external auditor for the next four years, but the appointment comes at a significant cost, according to an exclusive report by Health Policy Watch.
According to India’s bid, disclosed in an annex of audit “fees,” WHO will pay nearly US$1 million for India’s services during the 2024-2027 term, totaling US$2.268 million.
This is a notable increase from the US$1.35 million (US$450,000 annually) that India received for the same audit service between 2020-2023, resulting in a difference of US$918,000, as reported by the WHO Director-General.
India’s bid was significantly more expensive compared to competing offers from Egypt (US$1.708 million), Kenya (US$1.862 million), and Tanzania (US$1.8 million).
These offers could have potentially saved the organization over US$500,000 if any of them were accepted.
Despite the calls for cost-effectiveness and streamlining, India emerged victorious in a secret ballot among World Health Assembly member states, receiving 114 votes compared to Tanzania’s 42 out of the 156 member states that voted.
Following India’s re-election, the European Union (EU) represented by Sweden emphasized the need for the external auditor to play a more proactive role in monitoring WHO’s efforts to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in its use of public funds.
The EU called on the newly elected external auditor to collaborate with the Secretariat and the Independent Oversight and Advisory Committee for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (IOAC) to develop necessary corporate practices and ensure their implementation.
The importance of the external auditing role has been highlighted in recent IOAC reports, which underscored the need for in-depth knowledge and understanding of WHO’s work.
Sweden urged these findings to be taken into account during the finalization of formal arrangements following the election.
The United States also expressed the need for further elaboration of WHO appointment procedures.
Citing recommendations from the UN inspection unit, it suggested that a subsidiary committee of the organization’s governing body should screen external auditor candidates against established criteria and requirements as a necessary step in the appointment process.
The United States proposed the WHO Executive Board’s Programme, Budget, and Administration Committee (PBAC) as a suitable subsidiary body to screen and guide the health assembly in making efficient and well-informed external auditor appointments in the future.
It further recommended that the Secretariat propose amendments to relevant financial regulations and external auditor Terms of Reference to formalize the PBAC’s role in such appointments.
As India begins its new term as WHO’s external auditor, there are calls for increased monitoring, efficiency, and transparency to ensure the effective utilization of public funds and to enhance the organization’s accountability.
The focus now turns to the implementation of corporate practices and the exploration of improved appointment procedures to strengthen the auditing process.
For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
