#None #Geneva #Emergency Care #WHO Foundation #Laerdal Global Health

A Transformative Initiative for Emergency Care

In a groundbreaking announcement made during the World Health Assembly in Geneva on May 20, 2025, the WHO Foundation and Laerdal Global Health revealed a dynamic partnership aimed at revolutionizing emergency care in low- and middle-income countries. The $12.5 million investment will significantly boost training efforts for healthcare professionals, with the targeted aim of saving more than 50,000 lives each year.

The statistics speak for themselves: over half of the deaths in these regions could be prevented with effective emergency care. Recognizing this critical gap, Laerdal Global Health's founder, Tore Laerdal, and Thomas Zeltner, chair of the WHO Foundation, came together to enhance the education and resources available to healthcare providers.

The Importance of Emergency Care Training

The initiative will focus on implementing the Basic Emergency Care (BEC) program across 400 hospitals in select African countries. This program, developed in collaboration with the International Federation for Emergency Medicine and the International Committee of the Red Cross, is designed to ensure that critical skills in emergency response are taught effectively. Notably, previous implementations of the BEC program across various countries have shown impressive results, reducing mortality rates from acute conditions by 34 to 50 percent after training was introduced.

This partnership also plans to create specialized training kits for ongoing workplace education, which will ensure that healthcare professionals receive the support they need to maintain high standards of care.

Funding Expansion Initiatives

To further amplify the impact of this initiative, the WHO Foundation and Laerdal Global Health have established a funding consortium called Lifeline: the Acute Care Action Fund. This project aims to reach a total of $25 million, facilitating the program's implementation in 1,000 hospitals across five or more countries. The goal is ambitious: to save an estimated 50,000 lives annually.

Bruce Aylward, WHO’s assistant director-general for universal health coverage, emphasized the significance of strengthening health systems and empowering healthcare personnel. He pointed out that effective acute care delivery is vital for universal health coverage and global health security, especially amid increasingly constrained resources.

A Call to Action

This timely and generous commitment from Laerdal Global Health reinforces the urgent need for investment in global health initiatives. Thomas Zeltner echoed this sentiment, inviting other stakeholders to join the Lifeline initiative, which aims to broaden the reach of the BEC program not only in healthcare but also in humanitarian settings.

Laerdal Global Health stands out as a unique non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives in resource-limited settings. The organization focuses on developing simple, scalable, and locally adaptable solutions for healthcare training and emergency clinical care, significantly contributing to improving outcomes for mothers and newborns as well as individuals affected by trauma and acute illness.

Looking Ahead

As we usher in this promising period for global health, the partnership between the WHO Foundation and Laerdal Global Health presents a beacon of hope. Their commitment to training healthcare professionals fortifies the foundations for better emergency care, ultimately saving lives and enhancing the quality of healthcare in the most vulnerable communities.

In conclusion, the transformative potential of this partnership cannot be overstated. As we look towards a future where healing is accessible to all, initiatives like these pave the way for achieving equitable healthcare on a global scale, making strides toward the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.