Thai official calls for WHO to be reborn as ‘small, lean’ institute
By Jenny Lei Ravelo // 19 May 2025
In a rare instance of public criticism from World Health Organization member states, a senior Thai official has stated that the U.S. withdrawal from the global health institution is a “blessing” to effect much-needed change.
Speaking during a panel session on Sunday at the Geneva Graduate Institute, which hosts an introduction to the World Health Assembly every year, the official stressed the organization had become too “fat” and that it is time for WHO to become fit and lean again and respond to evolving member states’ needs.
“What member states want from WHO is the name and the brain, social and intellectual capital, not at all the money,” Suwit Wibulpolprasert, senior adviser on global health to the Thai Ministry of Public Health, said.
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About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
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