By Oyintari Ben
Head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) encouraged nations on Monday to implement the necessary changes to prepare for the upcoming pandemic and keep their word to increase funding for the UN health agency.
Several weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic’s global emergency designation was lifted, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated that it was time to move negotiations towards the next pandemic’s prevention at the WHO’s annual health conference.
The next epidemic “will come knocking,” the WHO Director-General warned the organization’s member states in a significant speech. “We cannot kick this can down the road.”
Who will implement the necessary modifications if we don’t? He asked, “And if we don’t make them now, when?”
The annual World Health Assembly, which will take place in Geneva for ten days and mark the organization’s 75th birthday, will discuss issues related to global health, such as potential pandemics.
In addition to writing a more comprehensive pandemic treaty that will be ratified next year, the 194 member states of the WHO are currently debating changes to the legally binding regulations that fix their responsibilities in the case of a worldwide health hazard.
This generation has firsthand knowledge of how terrible a tiny virus can be; thus, it is crucial that they agree to a pandemic pact, according to Tedros.
Additionally, nations will consider the WHO’s 2024–2025 budget later on Monday, which includes hikes in nations’ annual costs.
