By Taliyah Winn 

Efficiency has emerged as a primary theme of the third day of the World Health Assembly (WHA). For some delegates efficiency hasn’t been realized.

While in consideration of Topic One, Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, a representative became frustrated with the procedure of amending draft resolutions. Representative Antony Souss of the Holy See motioned to switch topics after the WHA had been in discussion of two different draft resolutions that needed to be amended before a vote.

“This is a waste of our time,” Representative Souss said. “I propose that we switch to Topic Two and go into a caucus after switching where signatures can work on their amendments, work on amendments for resolution to Topic One while the rest of the group can continue working on Topic Two resolutions.”

The motion passed and the Assembly moved to consider Topic Two, public health dimension of the world drug problem, at 10:22 am. Representative Chatham McGuire of Mozambique said the passing of this motion disappointed him. “I voted against the topic change,” Representative McGuire said. “The [representative] that proposed the topic change also suggested that we, the AA document, work on… their amendments.”

He said that it seemed like other Representatives would not have time to focus on two topics at once, making amendments difficult. “It’s frustrating, because if people are going off to talk about topic two, they don’t have time to consult about the amendments that they want (for topic one),” Representative McGuire said. “I think we need to focus our efforts and dividing that is not going to be as productive as I think many people expect.” 

Still, the body has made it clear through its actions that it values time and effort to ensure the resolutions are adequate before voting procedure. In Topic Two, working groups SS, PP, TT and UU continue to develop strategies to address the world drug problem, while some Representatives work to build consensus on the other topic’s resolutions. 

In a press conference, the Holy See addressed that there was still a lack of amendments made on Topic One. “It’s a waste of time to be switching topics back to topic one,” said Representative Souss. “No resolution has been sent in with any amendments, as was the goal of our previous [unmoderated caucus].”

Despite this, during the press conference the body voted to go back into consideration of Topic One to discuss Draft Resolution I/2 which has a strong focus on Emergency Medical Services, and its role in protecting women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health. Without amendments, the resolution passed with a clear majority 48/4/5, pushing the WHA one step closer to a comprehensive policy reform that should lead to better health access. Draft Resolution I/3 also passed in a roll call vote in a clear majority 57/1/3 after failing a vote by consensus. No resolutions from topic two are available to the body yet, and the WHA will have to tackle the limited time remaining at this year’s conference.