WHO lists 10 steps for an effective response to future pandemics; Read details



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In a recent advisory, the World Health Organization warned countries struggling to contain the two new variants of the coronavirus and the growing victims of SARS-CoV-2, saying they must strengthen their health systems in order to to be able to provide tools to cope with the preparation for the future pandemic and the main societal and environmental problems. WHO has listed 10 ways countries could lead the response to future pandemics.

Key measures for future pandemics:

1. Global solidarity for “global health security”

WHO urged countries to improve their preparedness for pandemics and health emergencies and to address the health crisis in humanitarian settings. “We will target support to better protect the most vulnerable communities against health emergency risks, including in urban areas, small island countries, conflict situations,” WHO stressed. He further underscored that countries need to build on existing partnerships and build a global health emergency workforce to expand, train and standardize high quality public medical and health assistance.

2. Accelerate access to COVID-19 tests, vaccines

According to the WHO, countries must ensure equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, tests and treatments and ensure that health systems are strong enough to deliver them. He further stressed that countries should contribute the essential funds needed to get these tools wherever they are needed in the world.

3. Advancing health for all

WHO has reminded nations of the consequences of neglecting health systems. He called on countries to strengthen the system so that they can respond to COVID-19 and provide all essential health services needed to keep people of all ages out of poverty. “Two important initiatives will support this work: the implementation and roll-out of WHO’s new primary health care program in countries and the UHC Compendium – a tool to help countries identify essential health services. they need, ”the WHO said.

4. Fight against health inequalities

WHO has called on countries to build on international commitments and existing work to advance universal health coverage and address the broader determinants of health. He suggested that this could be done by building on the latest data from WHO and tapping into new data that monitors health inequalities related to critical issues such as income, gender, membership. ethnicity, life in remote rural or disadvantaged urban areas, education, occupation or employment conditions and disability.

5. Global leadership in science and data

WHO said countries must maintain and strengthen the excellence, relevance and efficiency of essential technical functions and scientific data in order to provide the world with the best evidence-based recommendations for public health.

6. Revitalize efforts to fight communicable diseases

WHO has worked with countries to fight polio, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and to prevent epidemics of diseases such as measles and yellow fever. “In 2021, we will help countries obtain vaccines against polio and other diseases for people who were not affected during the pandemic. As part of this initiative, we will work to improve access to the vaccine. against HPV, ”the organization said. He added that the organization will work with partners to implement the new 10-year roadmap for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

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7. Fight drug resistance

The WHO has recommended that countries can only end infectious diseases if they make “global efforts” to have effective drugs to treat them. To achieve this, the new Global Antimicrobial Resistance Leadership Group, which includes health and political leaders, will meet for the first time in January.

8. Treating NCDs and Mental Health

WHO has called on countries to treat vulnerable people with NCDs, who are more likely to contract the COVID-19 virus. He added that it was essential for countries to ensure that screening and treatment programs for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease were accessible to all. “This will be a major goal in 2021, with a new Global Compact on Diabetes and a campaign to help 100 million people quit smoking,” the organization said.

9. Build back better

WHO underscored the collective goal of tackling climate change and health, reducing air pollution and improving air quality, to build back stronger and better. Likewise, a conference in June 2021 will focus on supporting health in small island developing states.

10. Act jointly

WHO has highlighted one of the key principles to focus on in 2021, to demonstrate greater solidarity – between nations, institutions, communities and individuals, to overcome pandemics in the future.

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Read: Spain receives its first batch of Covid-19 vaccines

Image credits: WHO official website



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