Prepare for a disease even deadlier than Covid, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to carry out reforms needed to prepare for the next pandemic during United Nations’ annual assembly in Geneva.
Globally, there have been almost seven million deaths caused by the illness, which is still claiming lives daily as vaccination rates have fallen.
He insisted Covid is still a threat, but not the only one the world may have to confront.
Despite the darkest days of the pandemic considered over, Dr Ghebreyesus said the next one was bound to ‘come knocking’.
After ending the global emergency status for Covid, he stressed: ‘We cannot kick this can down the road.
‘If we do not make the changes that must be made, then who will? And if we do not make them now, then when?
‘When the next pandemic comes knocking – and it will – we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively and equitably.’
The 10-day annual World Health Assembly, which coincides with the WHO’s 75th anniversary, is set to address global health challenges including future pandemics, eradicating polio and steps to ease Ukraine’s health emergency triggered by the war.
The WHO’s 194 member states are now drafting a pandemic treaty which is up for adoption at next year’s assembly.
‘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,’ added Ghebreyesus.
At the same meeting, countries approved a $6.83 billion budget for 2024-25 – a decision that tested national commitments to fixing its funding model which was seen as too small and overly reliant on donors.
The budget includes a 20% increase in member states’ mandatory fees.
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