World Health Organization Covid-19 Alert

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a statement about the spread of Covid-19 from China in 2020.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), said: “The end of Covid-19 as a global health emergency does not mean it has ceased to be a global health threat. The threat remains of the emergence of various variants of Covid-19 that can cause a new increase in morbidity and mortality.” said.

The 76th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest decision-making body of WHO, continues its work for the second day.

In addition to Ghebreyesus, the DSA, held at the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva, was attended by heads of state and delegations of WHO member states, Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Ambassador Güven Begech, ambassadors and other guests.

Ghebreyesus in his speech here recalled that about 3 weeks ago he stated that Covid-19 is no longer a global public health emergency and expressed his hope that life will return to normal and be able to travel in comfort.

Noting that the WHO has supported countries in their life-saving efforts throughout the epidemic, Ghebreyesus said: “The end of Covid-19 as a global health emergency does not mean that “Covid-19 has ceased to be a global health threat.” The threat remains of the emergence of various variants of Covid-19 that can cause a new increase in morbidity and mortality.” used the phrase.

Emphasizing that they must be ready to fight decisively, collectively and fairly in the next epidemic process, Ghebreyesus stressed that the epidemic shows that 8 billion people need emergency protection.

Drawing attention to the progress made under universal health insurance, Ghebreyesus said: “An additional 477 million people have benefited from universal health insurance since 2018. But the current trend is that by the end of the UN Global Goals era in 2030, less than half of the world’s population will be using universal health coverage. We need to at least double the rate at which we are increasing our inclusiveness on this issue.” He said.

“WHO and partners are determined to end polio”
Ghebreyesus recalled that 133 WHO member countries increased or introduced new taxes on hazardous products, including tobacco and sugary drinks, in the period 2017-2022, and said that they have made significant progress in removing industrial trans fats from the world’s food. . .

While stating that many countries have made progress in reducing salt intake, which is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, Ghebreyesus stressed that they continue to support countries in creating healthier populations.

Ghebreyesus, recalling that in addition to Covid-19, the monkeypox virus has ceased to be an international public health emergency, he said that polio continues to be the only official global health emergency.

Sharing that 5 polio cases were detected in 2021, the lowest ever, Ghebreyesus said: “Last year we saw 20 polio cases in Pakistan, 2 in Afghanistan and 8 in Mozambique. So far this year we have seen 2 cases of polio in Afghanistan and one in Pakistan. WHO and partners are determined to end polio completely.” He said.

“I call on Member States to participate constructively and urgently in the negotiations”

Ghebreyesus, who called on countries to work together on the steps to be taken in the area of ​​health and increase their support for WHO, said:

“I call on all Member States to engage constructively and urgently in the negotiations on an epidemic agreement and the International Health Regulations so that the world never again faces the devastating consequences of a pandemic like Covid-19. As we celebrate WHO’s 75th anniversary, let’s pledge to do more together to improve health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable people.”

The 76th “saving lives” and “health for all” DSA will end on May 30th.