WHO boss urges countries to prepare for future pandemics

By Peter Ochieng

World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, wants countries around the globe to adequately prepare for emergence of pandemics, going into the future.

In his end of the year message, the WHO boss said that the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point for the world, due to three years of crisis, pain and loss.

Coronavirus is a contagious disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2.

The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

The disease quickly spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic, killing millions of people.

Unfortunately, Tedros said, gaps remain as far as emergency preparedness and response against pandemics are concerned.

“In terms of emergency preparedness and response, gaps remain in the world’s readiness to prevent the next pandemic. But 2024 offers a unique opportunity to address these gaps,” said Tedros.

On a positive note, the WHO Chief revealed that governments are negotiating the first ever global agreement, to protect communities, countries and the world from the threat posed by pandemics.

Tedros said the pandemic accord is being designed to bridge the gaps in global collaboration, cooperation and equity.

“The Accord, and plans to strengthen the international health regulations, represent monumental actions by governments to create a safer and healthier world,” he stated.

He termed 2023 as a year of “immense and avoidable suffering and threats to health," due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war as well as the Ukraine war.

“The barbaric attacks by Hamas on Israel on the 7th of October left around 1,300 people dead and over 200 taken hostage. Reports of gender-based violence and mistreatment of hostages are deplorable."

“This was followed by the unleashing of a devastating attack on Gaza, which has killed more than 20,000 people – mainly women and children – and injured over 53,000,” he added.

He said without peace, there is no health, and without health there can be no peace.