According to the Federal Council, new WHO regulations do not require legislative reform
Published: Wednesday, Nov 13th 2024, 12:30
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The new regulations on the prevention, containment and control of disease outbreaks negotiated by the 196 contracting states of the World Health Organization following the coronavirus pandemic can be implemented without legislative changes. This is according to the Federal Council.
Switzerland already has the necessary capacities to prevent, prepare for and respond to health emergencies, as defined in the adapted International Health Regulations (IHR), the Swiss government announced on Wednesday. No legislative changes are therefore necessary to implement the adaptations in Switzerland.
The new obligations resulting from the amendments could be fulfilled within the existing structures and resources. As the protection of the population is a sensitive issue, the Federal Council nevertheless intends to conduct a consultation on the adjustments. This will last until February 27, 2025.
For around seventy years, the IHR have defined cooperation to prevent, contain and control disease outbreaks that pose a serious threat to public health. This includes, for example, declaring an international health emergency or measures at airports or border crossings. The regulations are legally binding for the member states.
According to the Federal Council, the changes to the regulations are intended, for example, to strengthen cooperation between the contracting states and the WHO, to provide better support in the investigation of unclear disease outbreaks by the WHO and to simplify the publication of information on threatening events by the WHO.
The IHR have nothing to do with the controversial WHO pandemic agreement. Negotiations on this are continuing worldwide. The agreement is intended to ensure that the world is better prepared for the next pandemic and that important medical supplies are distributed more fairly worldwide.
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