Recognizing and acknowledging the serious shortcomings in preparedness for COVID-19, all 194 countries of the World Health Organization have made a commitment to “Do-Better” before the next crisis arrives. In essence, “to work together for a safer, healthier future where we are better prepared for, and able to prevent future pandemic threats, and respond to them effectively and equitably.”
The WHO’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Body meeting February 2023 has started to address the global response – publishing “zero draft”. The document's commitments are extensive so will list a few here that are most relevant and applicable for healthcare workers.
Most concerning for Nurses, Doctors and Healthcare Workers -- -
*** Achieving equity in, for and through pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery of health systems
*** Strengthening and sustaining a skilled and competent health and care workforce
Why it is important -- -
>>>> Women comprised more than 70% of the global health and care workforce, and an even higher proportion of the informal health workforce reflected in 2021 data. During the COVID-19 response, women were disproportionately impacted by the burden of the pandemic, notably on health workers. The majority of Nurses are women – further impacting the Healthcare delivery system.
Commitments to Systems, Technologies and Research -- -
*** Access to technology: promoting sustainable and equitably distributed production and transfer of technology and know-how
*** Increasing research and development capacities
*** Strengthening and sustaining capacities for pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery of health systems
Commitments to Global Health and Human Rights -- -
*** The need for a multilateral, fair, equitable and timely system for sharing of, on an equal footing, pathogens with pandemic potential and genomic sequences, and benefits arising therefrom, that applies and operates in both inter-pandemic and pandemic times.
*** Recognizing that the majority of emerging infectious diseases and pandemics are caused by zoonotic pathogens, a commitment is made to "Human Rights"
*** Work towards building and strengthening resilient health systems to advance universal health coverage.
*** Negotiations on the draft pandemic accord will aim to produce a final draft for consideration by the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024.
The international spread of disease is a global threat with serious consequences for public health, human lives for generations, healthy livelihoods, societies, including current and future economies.
Global coordination, collaboration and cooperation must be a serious commitment.
The solution(s) requires a multi-country, multi-sectoral “whole-of-society approach". Each country or societal segment working independently will not foster a successful worldwide outcome.
fostering multilateral cooperation in global health governance,
Fellow INB Bureau Co-Chair Precious Matsoso notes, “The efforts this week, by countries from around the world, was a critical step in ensuring we do not repeat the mistakes of the COVID-19 pandemic response, including in sharing life-saving vaccines, provision of information and development of local capacities.”
Let’s hope the work of WHO continues and is “in place” and “operational” before all of us are placed in the position to endure another crisis like COVID-19. I devote my resources to the goal …. Can you?
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Source:
World Health Organization, News release, Geneva. Countries begin negotiations on global agreement to protect world from future pandemic emergencies. 3 March 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
World Health Organization, Fourth Meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body. Zero draft of the WHO CA+ for the consideration of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body at its fourth meeting.pdf.
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