Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has called on the world to ready itself for future pandemics and apply the insights gained from the COVID-19 experience. He conveyed this message on Wednesday in observance of the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, celebrated annually on December 27th.
This day serves as a reminder to reaffirm dedication to the crucial task of epidemic readiness.
Moreover, it offers an opportune moment to contemplate the advancements achieved thus far, particularly in 2023, highlighting the significant correlation between global objectives and local advocacy. The widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in severe repercussions, affecting millions of lives and causing countless deaths.
Despite three years of unparalleled global endeavors, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared on May 5th that COVID-19 no longer constituted a public health emergency. However, it emphasized that the disease still poses a persistent global threat.
“Economic damage inflicted by the pandemic endures. Many healthcare systems are struggling. Millions of children are threatened by disease after missing out on routine childhood vaccinations,” Guterres said.
“When the next pandemic arrives, we must do better. But we’re not yet ready. We must prepare and act on the lessons of COVID-19,” he urged.
“We must renounce the moral and medical disaster of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic healthcare supplies, and ensure everyone has access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines,” he stressed, adding that WHO’s authority and financing must also be strengthened.
He emphasized that the path ahead necessitates worldwide collaboration and an enhanced focus on bolstering virus surveillance, fortifying healthcare systems, and fulfilling the commitment to Universal Health Coverage.
The secretary-general noted advancements in these endeavors, referencing the progress made. He recalled the September High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response, which concluded with a robust political declaration. This declaration complements the ongoing negotiations aimed at establishing a pandemic accord, a landmark global agreement geared toward fostering cooperation, collaboration, and fairness in addressing future pandemics.
In his end-of-year message released on Tuesday, WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus underscored that this pioneering global agreement seeks to improve collective action and fairness in confronting future pandemics.
According to the UN chief, this pandemic accord will contribute to establishing a safer and healthier world by establishing a universal system for responding to outbreaks of diseases.
Guterres urged nations to seize this momentum by establishing a robust and comprehensive accord that prioritizes fairness and equity.
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