“This is unacceptable to me, and it should not be accepted for anyone,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “If the world’s rich are enjoying the benefits of high vaccine coverage, why aren’t the world’s poor? Are some lives worth more than others?
He has stated that to tackle future threats on par with the existing virus more than six million livesand infected more than 483 million people WHO launched a new strategy to scale up genomic surveillance, for deadly pathogens with “epidemic and pandemic potential.”
He also revealed an updated Strategic Preparedness, Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19.
End game COVID?
“This is our third strategic plan for COVID-19, and it can and should be our last,” he said, offering three possible scenarios for how the could develop this year.
The the most likely situation is that the virus continues to grow, but the severity of the illness the virus causes decreases over time as immunity increases due to vaccinations and infections, he said.
“Recurring spikes in cases and deaths can occur as immunity declines, which may necessitate periodic strengthening of vulnerable populations. In a best-case scenario, we could see less severe variants emerge and new boosters or vaccine formulations won’t be needed. “
But, in the worst case, a more virulent and more transmissible variant may emergeSooner or later, and against this new threat, people’s protection against serious illness and death, from previous vaccinations or infections, “will wane rapidly,” warns Tedros. .
To tackle this situation, it is necessary to dramatically alter current vaccines and ensure they reach those most vulnerable to severe illness, he said.
© UNDP Mauritius / Stephae Bellar
A healthcare worker wears PPE at a COVID testing clinic in Mauritius.
The head of the UN health agency outlined five strategic areas that governments need to focus on and invest in:
- Public health surveillance, laboratories and intelligence
- Immunization, public health and social measures, and community participation
- Clinical care for COVID-19 and restorative health systems
- Research and development, and equitable access to tools and supplies
- And finally coordination, as the response moves from emergency mode to long-term respiratory disease management.
“We have all the tools we need to control this pandemic: we can prevent transmission with masks, remote control, hand hygiene and ventilation; and we can save lives by making sure everyone has access to tests, treatments and vaccines.”
Tedros reminds that fair vaccination remains the most powerful tool in the world to save lives.
Striving to vaccinate 70% of the population of every country remains essential to bring the pandemic under control, with priority given to healthcare workers, the elderly and other at-risk groups.
WHO / Nana Kofi Acquah
The World Health Organization is helping countries strengthen their testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Crisis hotspot
Finish 24 million people will need humanitarian assistance this year in AfghanistanAnd they face displacement, drought, food insecurity and malnutrition, COVID-19, and many other health challenges, said Tedros.
Women and girls are particularly at risk due to lack of access to health services and lack of access to education, he added.very troublesome“.
For the millions of people whose lives and basic health care are at risk due to fierce conflict in northern EthiopiaTedros, with family roots in Tigray, welcomed last week’s announcement of a humanitarian agreement in the region – between Tigrayan leaders and Government forces, to enable vital aid – saying that He hopes it will lead to a rapid restoration of public services, including electricity, telecommunications, banking and healthcare.
Tigray Aid Organized
“However, A week has passed since the armistice was announced, but still no food has been allowed into Tigray., he say. “Every hour makes a difference when people starve. No food has been delivered to Tigray since mid-December, and almost no fuel has been delivered since last August.
“The siege of six million people in Tigray by Eritrean and Ethiopian forces over 500 days, is one of the longest sieges in modern history. Maintaining WHO’s response to all of these emergencies, from the COVID-19 pandemic, to Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and beyond, requires the generosity of donors. ”
According to the WHO Global Health Emergency Appeal for 2022, he noted that $2.7 billion is needed “to save lives and alleviate suffering around the world“.
