The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom, said in a speech at the World Health Assembly, this Monday (23), that the entity needs to be “at the center” of a global health system, while recognizing the need for internal reforms.
The World Health Assembly, which takes place from 22 to 28 May, is seen as one of the most important in the 75-year history of the United Nations (UN) health agency, as it seeks to define its future role in global health policy. health care and obtain approval for a funding review.
“We need a stronger, sustainably funded WHO at the heart of the global health security architecture,” the agency’s director-general said in a speech at the WHO’s annual assembly.
But he added: “There have been many calls for the WHO to change. And there is no doubt that more changes are needed.”
The WHO has come under scrutiny after an independent panel described it as weak when Covid-19 emerged, with limited powers to investigate outbreaks and coordinate containment measures.
However, its 194 member states are seen as divided on whether the entity deserves new powers after the way it has handled the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
“Some members are saying that the WHO did what it could during the pandemic and want to strengthen its authority and others are very disillusioned with the WHO and … are very divided on whether it should be given more powers,” said Adam Kamradt-Scott, professor of health. Global in the School of Transnational Governance.
In the same speech, Tedros said Covid-19 is far from over and the world is not ready for the next pandemic, echoing the findings of a major report last week.
Source: CNN Brasil
