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WHO Academy inaugurated in Lyon to aid health education globally
WHO Academy inaugurated in Lyon to aid health education globally
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 3 mins read
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially inaugurated the WHO Academy on December 17, marking a significant milestone in global health education.
The high-profile ceremony was attended by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, French President H.E. Emmanuel Macron, health ministers from around the world, international representatives, donors, and local French partners.
The WHO Academy aims to transform global health training by equipping health professionals, policymakers, and WHO staff with critical skills, knowledge, and the latest advancements in public health. Combining in-person training at its state-of-the-art campus in Lyon with a robust online platform, the Academy represents the most ambitious lifelong learning program ever undertaken in the field of public health.
Addressing Global Health Workforce Challenges
The Academy is a response to critical challenges in global health systems, particularly the projected global shortage of 10 million health and care workers by 2030, with the greatest impact expected in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to addressing workforce deficits, the Academy seeks to bridge gaps in access to cutting-edge research, innovation, and technological advancements in healthcare, including artificial intelligence.
Through partnerships with leading academic and research institutions worldwide, the WHO Academy will enhance the capacity of health systems to deliver better services and improve health outcomes globally.
“Today we can be proud to open in the city of Lyon the doors of a new global institution, which will bring the best in terms of health training and innovation to the world,” said French President Emmanuel Macron. “Better-trained health workers are absolutely critical to making our world safer, preventing and responding to future pandemics, and ensuring healthcare accessibility for all.”
State-of-the-Art Facilities
The Academy’s campus, spanning 11,000 square meters, includes:
22 training rooms
2 distance-learning rooms
A simulation center
An emergency operations center
A TV recording studio
A modern auditorium
A library
Additionally, the Academy’s online platform democratizes access to high-quality health education, offering free courses on priority health topics. This ensures that health professionals worldwide can access world-class training regardless of their location.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the Academy’s transformative potential: “The WHO Academy will be game-changing, a first-of-its-kind global health learning center that equips health and care workers with the skills they need to transform health systems and deliver health for all.”
Ambitious Goals for 2028
By 2028, the WHO Academy plans to train:
3 million health-care workers, including nurses, clinicians, and midwives
900 senior decision-makers
13,000 public health managers
From 2025 to 2028, the Academy aims to produce 50 to 80 courses annually, totaling approximately 260 new courses.
Advancing Health Equity
The WHO Academy’s mission is to strengthen health systems, improve service delivery, and promote health equity. By providing accessible, high-quality education to health professionals worldwide, the Academy is poised to make a lasting impact on global health outcomes.
This initiative, launched seven years ago, has been made possible through the generous support of the Government of France, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon City and Métropole, and other global partners.
The WHO Academy sets a bold precedent for addressing global health challenges and ensuring that health workers are well-equipped to serve communities worldwide.
This report is from the World Health Organization.
