GENEVA: At a time when the world reverts to routine breaking shackles bore by coronavirus, head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a warning that asks thr world to get ready for the next pandemic, which might be “even deadlier” than the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency is not the end of COVID-19 as a global health threat,” Mr Tedros said as he presented his report to the 76th World Health Assembly, Geneva, Switzerland.
He said when the next pandemic comes knocking – and it will – we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively and equitably.
“A commitment from this generation [to a pandemic accord] is important, because it is this generation that experienced how awful a small virus could be,” said Dr Tedros.
The WHO’s declaration comes just four months after China ended its prolonged zero-Covid policy restrictions and was hit by a big surge in infections.
The 10-day yearly World Health Assembly in Geneva, which coincides with the WHO’s 75th anniversary, is set to address worldwide well-being challenges, including future pandemics, destroying polio, and supporting moves toward facilitating Ukraine’s wellbeing crisis set off by Russia’s attack.
WHO is currently working on a pandemic treaty that will be approved at the assembly the following year.