Francesco Zambon: A whistleblower’s fight for transparency in Italy’s COVID-19 response

Francesco Zambon, a scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), became a whistleblower when he exposed serious shortcomings in Italy’s pandemic preparedness during the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis. His courageous stand against pressure from within the WHO brought to light the difficulties that whistleblowers face when confronting powerful institutions, and the global need for better whistleblower protection.

Exposing Italy’s outdated pandemic plan

Zambon was tasked with leading a team to produce a report on Italy’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Italy had been the first European country to face the full brunt of COVID-19, and Zambon’s report was intended to serve as a guide for other countries preparing for their own outbreaks. The report, which was published on the WHO’s website in May 2020 and removed within 24 hours, highlighted a critical failure: Italy had not updated its pandemic plan since 2006, leaving the country unprepared to manage the outbreak effectively. The outdated plan and lack of preparedness, according to the report, contributed to Italy’s overwhelmed healthcare system and thousands of avoidable deaths.

Pressure and conflict of interest at the WHO

The removal of the report triggered widespread concerns about transparency and accountability. Zambon later revealed that he had been pressured by Ranieri Guerra, a senior WHO official who had previously worked at Italy’s Ministry of Health, to alter the findings, particularly the reference to the outdated pandemic plan. Guerra, who had been responsible for updating Italy’s plan during his tenure, had a clear conflict of interest in the report’s content. Despite Zambon’s internal complaints about this unethical pressure, the WHO did not launch an investigation, and no corrective action was taken.

Zambon’s whistleblower journey

Zambon’s refusal to comply with the demand to modify the report placed him in an increasingly precarious position. His role at the WHO became professionally unsustainable due to isolation, demotion, and lack of support. In December 2020, after months of being ignored internally, Zambon went public with his story, speaking out about the pressure he had faced to obscure vital information. He resigned from the WHO in March 2021, citing the situation as professionally unbearable. His case became a symbol of the need for robust whistleblower protections, particularly in global institutions like the WHO.

Legal ramifications and the fight for accountability

Zambon’s resignation and subsequent public statements raised important questions about the WHO’s commitment to transparency and its ability to handle internal whistleblower complaints effectively. His case demonstrated how powerful figures within large organisations can suppress vital information, leading to disastrous consequences. In Zambon’s situation, the suppression of the report may have hampered Italy’s ability to learn from its mistakes in pandemic preparedness and delayed similar insights from being shared with other nations.

The fallout from Zambon’s revelations also had legal and political ramifications. His disclosures contributed to a wider investigation in Italy, especially in the province of Bergamo, where prosecutors launched inquiries into how the government’s failure to update its pandemic plan impacted the early response to the virus. Allegations surfaced that Italy had misled the WHO on its preparedness for a pandemic just weeks before the first locally transmitted case of COVID-19. This further cemented Zambon’s whistleblower claims as significant for both Italy’s public health and the global response to pandemics.

The continued fight for whistleblower protections

Despite support from civil society organisations, including Transparency International and Whistleblowing International Network, Zambon’s appeals for protection were initially rejected. The WHO failed to recognise him as a whistleblower, which would have entitled him to safeguards against retaliation. In 2022, the WHO’s Global Board of Appeal eventually awarded Zambon moral damages and legal fees, acknowledging the mishandling of his case. However, the organisation’s response remained unsatisfactory, and calls for a full investigation into the retaliation against him continued.

Zambon’s legacy and ongoing advocacy

Francesco Zambon’s story highlights the importance of ensuring accountability within large international organisations like the WHO. His actions revealed the risks faced by those who stand up for the truth in the face of institutional pressure. The consequences of silencing whistleblowers, particularly in matters of public health, can be severe, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Zambon’s case remains a powerful reminder of the need for stronger protections for those who speak out in the interest of public safety and transparency.

Today, Zambon continues to advocate for reform within the WHO and other institutions, pushing for changes that would prevent retaliation against whistleblowers in the future. His case against the WHO is being reviewed by the International Labour Organization’s Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT), with a decision expected in 2025. His case has also reignited the global debate on whistleblower protection, emphasising that speaking out should not come at the cost of professional isolation or personal risk. As the world reflects on the lessons learned from COVID-19, the role of whistleblowers like Francesco Zambon in safeguarding public health remains more crucial than ever.