Skip to content
All posts

A Historic Step for Rare Diseases on the Global Stage

Picture of Medscape Education By   ·  1 minute read
We are pleased to introduce the inaugural issue of Medscape’s Rare Edition, a place dedicated to the latest updates in rare disease. 
In this first edition, we highlight the recent 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) and its landmark resolution on rare diseases. Medscape was honored to co-host a WHA side event alongside the World Federation of Hemophilia, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, the Harriet Joyce Foundation, the Global Commission to End the Diagnostic Odyssey for Children with a Rare Disease, and the Wilhelm Foundation, organized by Rare Diseases International (RDI). 
WHOWhat Is the World Health Assembly (WHA)?
The World Health Assembly (WHA) is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). It's attended by delegations from all WHO member states and focuses on a specific health agenda.
It's Adopted!
On May 24th, the resolution was officially adopted by the WHA, marking a significant milestone for the rare disease community.
Additional RDI Resources

Proposed by ministers of health from Egypt and Spain, and sponsored by 29 member states, the resolution on rare diseases will establish a global framework to support the diagnosis and management of rare diseases and promote research in the field. Part of this resolution is about educating HCPs.

Click here to learn more about the resolution

You can also watch the event recording here, and read the post event report here.

What This Means for Rare Disease Patients and Professionals
  • Global Priority: Rare diseases are now cemented as a priority on the global health agenda.
  • Recognition of Challenges: The resolution recognizes the unique challenges and inequities faced by more than 300 million people worldwide living with rare diseases.
  • 10-Year Global Action Plan: The WHO director general and supporting bodies are tasked with developing a 10-year global action plan to tackle rare diseases, fostering equitable access to diagnosis and treatment, supporting research, and monitoring rare diseases.
Medscape's Post-Event Article

The decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a resolution to establish a global framework to support the diagnosis and management of rare diseases and promote research in the field. Led by Egypt and Spain and sponsored by more than 20 countries, the resolution comes as the culmination of a decade of advocacy by the rare disease community. 

Continue reading here.