“We, the survivors, have a great responsibility and urgent need to implement bold actions that take stock of countries’ experiences in responding to Covid-19,” said the head of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in his speech at the 76th World Health Assembly.
Barbosa attended a session aimed at strengthening the global architecture for emergency healthcare preparedness, where he stressed that while preventing a pandemic can be extremely difficult, the historical pattern of panic and complacency in the face of threats of this nature must be broken.
This requires, he stressed, an adequate analysis of the response to Covid-19, involving all sectors, the international community and beneficiaries, to review the challenges, weaknesses and strengths and to identify actions that can be implemented immediately, in the short and long term would have to be implemented.
He stressed that many countries, including Americas, faced challenges in responding to the health crisis caused by this disease, particularly in terms of surveillance and access to diagnoses, medicines, vaccines and qualified health workers.
The PAHO director said it is vital that member states participate fully in discussions being led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop an international tool that will strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and related measures to update of the International Health Regulations.
“This is a unique opportunity to make preparedness and response to global health emergencies fit for purpose and to strengthen their foundations,” Barbosa concluded.
Also presented during this Wednesday’s session was the WHO’s Global Health for Peace initiative, which sets out health needs in fragile, vulnerable and conflict-affected environments and strengthens the health sector as a contributor to peace outcomes such as social cohesion, dialogue or social resilience against violence.
jha/crc