World Local Production Forum (WLPF)

About World Local Production Forum

• It is an initiative of the World Health Organisation.
• The first WLPF was organized virtually in 2021.
• Aim: Increasing access to medicines and other health technologies.
• This forum provides Member States and the global community with a regular platform to shape strategies, galvanize collective action, and foster partnerships on sustainable local production to improve timely and equitable access to quality assured health products. 
• Secretariat: The Local Production and Assistance (LPA) Unit at the WLPF.
• The second WLPF aims
  • To provide a global platform to discuss key challenges in promoting local production and technology transfer.
  • To explore opportunities and mechanisms to tackle the bottlenecks.
  • To promote sustainable local production capacity to improve access to quality, safe and effective health products and technologies. 

Key facts about World Health Organisation

• It was established in 1948.
• It is a United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable.
• It provides technical assistance to countries, sets international health standards, and collects data on global health issues.
• It has played a leading role in several public health achievements, most notably the Eradication of smallpox, the near-eradication of polio, and the development of an Ebola
• The World Health Assembly, the agency's decision-making body, elects and advises an executive board made up of 34 health specialists.

Q1) What is Ebola?

It is a viral disease that can cause a severe and often fatal illness in humans. It is caused by the Ebola virus, which is part of the Filoviridae family. Ebola is characterized by a sudden onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, and a sore throat, which is often followed by vomiting, diarrhea, impaired kidney and liver function, and, in some cases, internal and external bleeding.

Source: Indian delegation led by Union MoS Bhagwant Khuba to leave for Netherlands to participate in 2nd World Local Production Forum