Celebrating World Health Day: A Collective Effort Towards Global Health and Wellness
World Health Day is a special moment for all of us to reflect on how far we’ve come regarding the fight for better health and well-being, and to remind ourselves of the work still ahead. This year, we’re shining a spotlight on the global health efforts that bring together organizations, governments, and communities to tackle the challenges we face today. One of the most inspiring efforts comes from Alwaleed Philanthropies, whose initiatives are making a real difference in some of the world’s most underserved regions.
Alwaleed Philanthropies partners with other organizations, governments, and non-governmental groups to empower women and youth, develop stronger communities, provide disaster relief, promote cultural understanding, and support a healthier environment for all.
Through collaborations with organizations like Gavi The Vaccine Alliance, The Gates Foundation, UNICEF, ICESCO, and The Carter Center, Alwaleed Philanthropies has worked tirelessly to improve the health of vulnerable populations. These projects tackle crucial issues such as vaccine access, sanitation, disease eradication, and building community resilience, especially in regions hit hard by conflict, poverty, and inadequate healthcare systems.
One of the most impactful projects is the partnership with Gavi, which has helped deliver life-saving vaccines to children in the poorest parts of the world. Through the Khushi Baby project, the "Vaccine-M" project, and The Health Chat project, children are getting essential immunizations that will set them on the path to a healthier, brighter future. In these high-risk areas, vaccines are essential to protect children from diseases that continue to claim young lives. Alwaleed Philanthropies’ work with Gavi has been vital in bridging the gap between the public and private sectors, ensuring that life-saving vaccines are accessible to those who need them most.
Alwaleed Philanthropies has also been there for communities in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting efforts to alleviate the virus's impacts, especially in vulnerable urban areas across Palestine, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia. In these regions, where many people live in displacement, the challenges have been even greater. Alwaleed Philanthropies stepped up by funding key projects to enhance COVID-19 preparedness, improve sanitation, and provide shelter. In Sudan, 1,800 homeless individuals, including vulnerable street children, were provided with safe, secure homes. These projects not only helped during the crisis but also empowered communities to build resilience against future health challenges.
Beyond COVID-19, Alwaleed Philanthropies continues to play a pivotal role in the global fight against diseases like Guinea worm disease, polio, and measles. The foundation works closely with The Carter Center to help eliminate Guinea worm disease, which still affects thousands in rural Africa. Since 1986, the Guinea Worm Eradication Program has made significant strides, and in 2023 alone, over 9,000 villages were monitored for the disease. In partnership with the Gates Foundation, Alwaleed Philanthropies is also supporting the global effort to eradicate polio, reaching over 78 countries. These efforts are crucial in the battle for a polio-free world, focusing on vaccination and surveillance to protect children from the lifelong effects of paralysis.
The foundation’s commitment to improving global health also includes fighting measles and rubella, diseases that continue to threaten millions of children around the world. Through the Measles and Rubella Elimination Project, launched with UNICEF, the goal is to eradicate these diseases through widespread vaccination campaigns. These efforts have focused on countries like Ethiopia, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Sudan. As of 2025, the project has successfully vaccinated over 2.3 million children, with a total of 50 million children reached through these initiatives. In 2023 alone, these efforts protected millions of children from these highly contagious diseases, taking us one step closer to a world free from these threats.
Finally, Alwaleed Philanthropies continues to make a profound impact in the fight against trachoma, a leading cause of blindness in the developing world, through its work with The Carter Center. Focusing on Ethiopia’s Amhara region, the partnership has performed over 797,000 surgeries and distributed millions of doses of antibiotics. In 2023 alone, nearly 51,000 surgeries were performed, helping to restore sight to those at risk of blindness. The program also focuses on hygiene education, reaching 8,700 schools and 3,871 villages to create lasting change and protect future generations from this preventable disease.
World Health Day is a reminder of just how essential health is in building resilient, thriving communities. The work of Alwaleed Philanthropies and its partners is a testament to what can be achieved when we come together to address the root causes of health disparities. By investing in sustainable health solutions—from vaccines and sanitation to disease eradication and housing—we are all contributing to a healthier future for everyone. But the work is far from over. With continued dedication and collaboration, we can make sure that no one is left behind in the global pursuit of health and well-being for all.
As we celebrate World Health Day, let’s take a moment to honor the efforts that have brought us closer to global health equity, and commit ourselves to working toward a future where every child, family, and community can thrive in health and dignity.
