It was a historic moment for the global rare disorder community on 24th May when the 78th World Health Assembly adopted the first-ever resolution on rare diseases.

The resolution declares rare diseases a global health priority and urges member states to take action within their own countries to improve their health systems for people living with rare diseases.

The Director General of the World Health Organization is now expected to develop a 10-year Global Action Plan on Rare Diseases, which will support member states with clear targets and accountability measures.

For New Zealand, this global recognition will help further our push for the implementation of the Rare Disorders Strategy.

Rare Disorders NZ CE Chris Higgins was with the team from Rare Disease International during this historic week in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Our Collective

Rare Disorders NZ is the collective voice of all people living with a rare disorder and their whānau. Our rare collective is made up of more than 150 disorder-specific support groups.

Our work is informed by the issues important to our collective. We work together to improve healthcare and wellbeing for everyone living with a rare health condition in New Zealand.

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