Background
Transplantation of cells, tissues and organs is an established life-saving and life-enhancing form of treatment for a wide range of health conditions, with significant benefits in patient survival, reduced morbidity and improvement of the quality of life. However, these treatments are not equally available among the WHO regions; therefore, remaining inaccessible for millions of potential recipients. Demand often exceeds the capacity of national programmes, where they are established, and disparities may exist within given countries, with the poorest populations least likely to have access.
Since 1987, the World Health Assembly has adopted a series of resolutions on this topic, including the WHO Guiding Principles on Human Cell, Tissue and Organ Transplantation , updated through resolution WHA63.22 (2010) . Following WHO report A75/41 , which highlighted slow progress, the 77th World Health Assembly (2024) adopted resolution WHA77.4 , calling on Member States to enhance the availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs. The resolution requested the development of a global strategy on the donation and transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs.
The WHO Secretariat has developed a first draft for the global strategy, drawing on a comprehensive literature review, a series of informal consultations with Non-State actors in official relations and WHO Collaborating Centres, and substantive contributions from relevant WHO Expert Advisory Groups.
The global strategy is intended to provide a shared direction for action and to support coordinated efforts to expand equitable access to transplantation treatment. It is not intended to be a detailed action plan or an implementation guideline. It is structured around the following sections: introduction and global situation overview, vision, objectives, strategic directions, and roles and responsibilities of Member States, WHO, and partners.
WHO invites stakeholders to review this first version of the global strategy.
This public review aims to:
- collect comments on the clarity, relevance, and feasibility across diverse settings;
- identify any outstanding factual issues, gaps, or risks not already recognized that should be addressed.
Who should participate
Policy makers, regulators, service developers-providers, professional bodies, clinical and technical experts, scientists and researchers, civil society, including patient groups and advocates, international institutions and other organizations, as well as interested parties.
How to submit feedback
Read the draft global strategy , then use this online form to provide your feedback.
Deadline
The public review will remain open for six weeks, closing on 31 August 2026.
Next steps
Feedback received will be reviewed and incorporated into the final global strategy, which will be presented for adoption at the 80th World Health Assembly (2027), through the Executive Board at its 160th session (January 2027).
