Emmanuel Macron in Lyon this Tuesday to inaugurate the WHO Academy

The World Health Organization (WHO) inaugurates its Academy on Tuesday in Lyon, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, an ultra-modern campus with a digital platform, dedicated to the continuing training of caregivers around the world.

The head of this powerful UN agency, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will chair the ceremony organized on the brand new site of this training center, financed to the tune of 120 million euros by France. “Investing in health systems is the best way to prepare for future pandemics”declared Emmanuel Macron in 2021, who campaigned hard for this training center to be established in Lyon.

16,000 people trained per year

“The rapid advancement of scientific discoveries and technologies makes it necessary for healthcare professionals to continue learning throughout their careers”for his part underlined Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a document published ahead of the inauguration. Faced with constantly changing health risks, “we need to change our approach to teaching”he continued: “Traditional methods, such as classroom lessons, can no longer meet the scale of future needs alone.”

The WHO Academy, the idea of ​​which dates back to 2019 but which the Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced, therefore aims to be at the forefront of innovation, with the integration of virtual reality or artificial intelligence on its Lyon site. Some 16,000 people will come each year to train in its 11,000 m2 building.² with futuristic lines, which has 24 classrooms, a library, a mock emergency response center but above all a huge stage for simulation exercises.

The training is primarily aimed at health professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) but also at WHO agents, researchers and decision-makers in the sector. A digital platform will make it possible to reach a wider audience and WHO is targeting three million learners by 2028, thanks to online courses in the organization's six official languages: English, Arabic, French, Chinese, Spanish and Russian.

Online training

Accessible on computer but also on telephone, the virtual training courses, which have already started, are available according to geographical needs and health priorities, with an offer geared more towards developing countries. There are courses on the latest “rapid diagnostic tests for tuberculosis”for use by health executives who will then organize screening campaigns, or modules on “Buruli ulcer” for basic agents on the front line facing this bacteria which is prevalent in tropical zones.

In addition to improving care, the Academy also aims to “participate in the retention of health personnel”explained its executive director, David Atchoarena, during a press conference. According to the WHO, whose headquarters are in Geneva, in 2030 there will be a deficit of 10 million health personnel, including five million in Africa.