WHO chief Tedros fears for global pandemic treaty
Published: Monday, Jan 22nd 2024, 13:30
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The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) fears for a planned pandemic treaty that is intended to protect the world from chaos like at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The treaty is to be adopted at the meeting of more than 190 member countries in Geneva at the end of May.
A revision of the International Health Regulations, which govern the handling of new diseases, is also to be adopted. "However, I am seriously concerned that the member states may not keep this promise," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday in Geneva.
"It will take courage and it will take compromise," Tedros said. "You won't reach consensus if everyone insists on their point of view. Everyone will have to give something, or no one will get anything."
The draft is controversial. Among other things, it deals with how information about new pathogens is shared quickly, who produces vaccines and medicines and where, and how they are distributed. Patent protection for vaccines and medicines is also a sticking point.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in December, referring to the lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic: "We must not allow the moral and medical catastrophe of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic supplies. We must ensure that everyone has access to diagnostics, treatment and vaccines."
Even if the negotiations succeed and a treaty is adopted at the WHO meeting: It would only come into force if enough countries ratify it and it would only be valid in these countries.
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