In my message a few minutes ago I wrote: 'In addition to its 479 Collaborating Centres, WHO is in official relations with a large number of Non State Actors (NSAs), including HIFA (through Global Healthcare Information Network CIC, the UK-registered non-profit organisation that administers HIFA). From memory I think there are about 280 NSAs, although I cannot access the official list right now. It would be appropriate for WHO's NSAs to similarly show their collective support. I shall liaise with our designated technical officer at WHO to explore this. At the same time I shall also propose a mechanism for NSAs to coordinate 24/7, perhaps using a community of practice similar to HIFA. At present I am unaware of any platform to facilitate NSA communications.'
I have now been able to access the official list of NSAs in official relations with WHO and the current number is 218.
HIFA profile: Neil Pakenham-Walsh is coordinator of HIFA (Healthcare Information For All), a global health community that brings all stakeholders together around the shared goal of universal access to reliable healthcare information. HIFA has 20,000 members in 180 countries, interacting in four languages and representing all parts of the global evidence ecosystem. HIFA is administered by Global Healthcare Information Network, a UK-based nonprofit in official relations with the World Health Organization. Email: neil@hifa.org