Highlighting Importance: Why a Stronger WHO is Key to Fighting Future Pandemics

Preparedness is Key: A stronger World Health Organization (WHO) is vital to combating future pandemics. This article explores why an empowered and well-funded WHO is crucial for stopping outbreaks before they escalate globally.

GENEVA, May 24 (Reuters) -Representatives from all World Health Organization member countries (194) aim to finalize discussions on new pandemic response guidelines after two years of talks. These discussions, culminating next week in Geneva, focus on updating existing outbreak regulations and establishing a legally binding agreement to strengthen global defenses against future pandemics like COVID-19, which tragically claimed countless lives.

Many experts believe this upcoming World Health Assembly, with an estimated 100 ministers present, is the most significant moment for the WHO since its inception in 1948. The outcome will significantly impact the organization's legacy and how Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus' second term is viewed.

WHAT IS THE SO-CALLED PANDEMIC TREATY?

It's important to note that the WHO already has existing regulations called the International Health Regulations (2005). These rules outline countries' responsibilities when dealing with public health emergencies that could spread internationally. This includes promptly informing the WHO and implementing measures related to trade and travel.

While the International Health Regulations (2005), established after the SARS outbreak, are considered effective for contained outbreaks like Ebola, they proved insufficient for a global pandemic like COVID-19. 

The upcoming treaty aims to address these shortcomings. Key areas of focus include preventing unequal access to vaccines (like the 'vaccine apartheid' criticized by WHO Director-General Tedros) and ensuring swifter, more transparent sharing of information and international cooperation during future health crises.

A key sticking point in the treaty negotiations is Article 12. This article proposes setting aside roughly 20% of tests, treatments, and vaccines for the WHO to distribute to low-income countries during emergencies. However, the exact percentage is still being debated.

If successful, this treaty would be a landmark achievement, similar to the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which aimed to curb smoking through taxation and regulations.

HOW WILL GLOBAL HEALTH RULES CHANGE?

In response to criticisms that the WHO's one-size-fits-all emergency alert system hampered the global response to COVID-19, the IHR is getting an upgrade. The new system will feature different alert levels, including an "early action alert" for catching potential outbreaks sooner. 

Additionally, the plan is to introduce a specific "pandemic emergency" designation for the most severe threats. These changes, along with requiring countries to be more proactive in notifying the WHO about public health events, aim to streamline communication and speed up global responses to future health crises.

HOW DO COUNTRIES VIEW THE PACT?

Reaching an agreement has been incredibly difficult. Deep divisions between wealthy and poorer nations have frustrated attempts to find common ground. Talks even stalled completely after missing a May 10th deadline, forcing WHO Director-General Tedros to intervene. 

Key sticking points include how to share resources like drugs and vaccines, and funding – whether to create a new fund or use existing ones. Negotiations have been lengthy and bogged down by technicalities, further complicated by political opposition, especially from right-wing groups who claim (falsely, according to the WHO) that the treaty undermines national sovereignty.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The updated IHR rules and the proposed pandemic treaty are intended to work together, but some question if one can function without the other. Talks on the IHR are reportedly more developed and likely to succeed. However, some Western diplomats worry that countries pushing for major concessions in the treaty might stall progress on the IHR. 

Unlike the treaty (which requires approval by countries and could take years), the IHR changes automatically apply after a year unless nations object. Even if negotiations continue, further discussions will likely be needed to clarify the specific benefits triggered by the new IHR rules.

Source: Reuters‍