Wellness and Healing - The WHO gathering begins without achieving a consensus on a pandemic treaty.
During the 77th annual World Health Organization (WHO) gathering in Geneva, 194 member states are working to establish guidelines for the organization's priorities over the next four years, centered around "Health for All - Health for Everyone." Kicking off on Monday, the assembly serves as the highest decision-making body for the WHO. Major topics on the agenda involve eradicating malaria by 2030 and combating the sharp rise of antibiotic-resistant organisms, which pose a threat to countless patients worldwide. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) was in attendance at the event's inception in Geneva.
The assembly's anticipated highlight, a formal signing ceremony for a pandemic treaty, has been scrapped due to a lack of consensus on a universally agreeable text after two years of lengthy negotiations. Key points of contention included the equitable distribution of resources (e.g., PPE, medication, and vaccines) during pandemics. In lieu of this event, the gathering will determine how to move forward with the ongoing negotiations.
Drawing Lessons from COVID-19
Lessons are intended to be learned from the global Coronavirus pandemic. Initially, a reform of the International Health Regulations (IHR) was on the brink of being approved and was set to be implemented during the meeting. The IHR encompasses binding rules and obligations for the member states to adhere to in the face of potential health threats. These measures aim to prevent or manage the propagation of diseases across national borders. Examples include the mandate to monitor diseases and promptly report any unusual developments to the WHO.
Clarity in Crises
The Coronavirus pandemic has exposed global flaws within the current system. The WHO is currently only capable of declaring a "public health emergency of international concern" as its top alert status. Explicit mention of the term "pandemic" is sorely missing from the health regulations. This is set to be corrected. Furthermore, regular evaluations will be conducted to ensure countries are adequately prepared for potential crises.
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Source: www.stern.de
