On the final day of the 77th World Health Assembly, member countries of the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) adopted important amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), including defining a ‘pandemic emergency’ and pledging to improve access. in medical products and finance.
These measures will ensure that all countries have comprehensive and robust systems in place to protect everyone from the risks of future outbreaks and pandemics, WHO said in a press release.
“The historic decision made today is Member States’ shared desire to protect their citizens and the world“From the shared risk of public health emergencies and future pandemics,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
He emphasized that revisions to the IHR will strengthen countries’ ability to detect and respond to future outbreaks, strengthen national capacities and improve cross-border coordination on disease surveillance, information sharing and response.
“It is built on a commitment to equity, an understanding that: Health threats know no borders And that preparation is a group effort,” Tedros added.
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The new amendments to the IHR include: Definition of Epidemic Emergency Promote more effective international cooperation on events that pose a risk of outbreaks. This definition increases the alert level based on existing IHR mechanisms, such as the determination of a public health emergency of international concern.
A pandemic emergency is an infectious disease that threatens to spread widely geographically, overwhelm health systems, cause significant social or economic disruption, and requires rapid, equitable and coordinated international action through a comprehensive government and society approach. are identified.
The amendment also emphasizes: Solidarity and equity in access to medical products Establish a coordinated financial mechanism to raise funds. This mechanism aims to help developing countries identify and obtain the funding they need to address their needs and priorities for epidemic prevention, preparedness and response.
The amendment also Committee of States Parties Promote and support collaboration for effective IHR implementation; National IHR Authority Improve coordination of regulations within and between countries.
Pandemic agreement finalized
The countries also agreed to continue negotiations on a proposed pandemic agreement to improve international coordination, cooperation and equity to prevent, prepare for and respond to future pandemics.
WHO Member States decided to extend the mandate of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established in December 2021, to complete its work on negotiating a pandemic agreement within one year, at the World Health Assembly in 2025, or sooner if possible.
Tedros applauded the delegation’s efforts in his closing speech at the World Health Assembly.
“You have agreed on a path forward for the pandemic agreement, and I am confident that you will achieve that agreement,” he said.
The General Assembly was held from May 27 to June 1 under important topics. Health for all, health for all.
