Guterres calls to ‘Act on lessons of COVID-19’ on Epidemic Preparedness Day 

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 28th Dec. UN head António Guterres on Wednesday said that the world must prepare for the next pandemic and act on lessons learned from COVID-19 in a message to mark the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected hundreds of millions of lives, caused millions of deaths and inflicted devastating impacts on humanity.

WHO  declared an end to COVID-19 on May 5 as a public health emergency, stressed that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat after three years of unprecedented global efforts.

Mr. Guterres said “Economic damage inflicted by the pandemic endures. Many healthcare systems are struggling. Millions of children are threatened by disease after missing out on routine childhood vaccinations,”.

He noted that three years after the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed, billions of people remain unprotected – overwhelmingly in developing countries.

“When the next pandemic arrives, we must do better. But we’re not yet ready. We must prepare and act on the lessons of COVID-19,” he urged.

“We must renounce the moral and medical disaster of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic healthcare supplies, and ensure everyone has access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines,” he stressed.

He added that WHO authority and financing must also be strengthened.

Guterres said the way forward lies through global cooperation. The world must improve surveillance of viruses, strengthen health systems, and make the promise of Universal Health Coverage a reality.

He said these efforts are making progress. He recalled that the High-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, held in September, concluded with a robust political declaration which complements negotiations underway towards a pandemic accord.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his end-of-year message published that this first-ever global agreement aims to enhance collaboration, cooperation, and equity in responding to pandemics of the future.

The pandemic accord will help to create a safer and healthier world with a universal system of response to disease eruptions, he added.

Mr. Guterres urged countries to build on this momentum by delivering a strong, comprehensive accord, focused on equity.

“Together, let’s act on the lessons of COVID-19, prepare, and build a fairer, healthier world for all,” he concluded.