COVID-19: UN Says World Must Be Ready For Next Pandemic

Following the second wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the United Nations on Sunday commemorated the first  International Day of Epidemic Preparedness and urged the world to be ready for the next global pandemic.

AllNews understands that the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness held on Sunday, December 27, 2020, is underscoring the need to learn lessons from the coronavirus pandemic and urging greater investments in preparedness, to confront future health emergencies.

According to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres “This first observance of the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness falls at the end of a year in which a scenario many had feared came tragically true … As we strive to control and recover from the current pandemic, we must think about the next.” 

He also highlighted the need for strong health systems and social protection, support for communities on the frontlines, and technical cooperation for countries.

Guterres added, “Across this work, science must be our guide. Solidarity and coordination are crucial, within and among countries; no one is safe unless all of us are safe.”

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He also honoured medical professionals, front-line personnel, and essential workers globally for their “remarkable commitment” in face of the coronavirus pandemic.

“As we recover from the pandemic, let us resolve to build up our prevention capacities so that we are ready when the world faces the next outbreak,” he urged.

Similarly, Volkan Bozkir, President of the General Assembly, underscored that the “devastating experience” of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made clear, the benefits of tackling epidemics.

“If we ready ourselves, then we can save lives and stop epidemics from developing into pandemics,” he said, adding that COVID-19 “must be our final warning.”

“We cannot afford to be complacent, and we must learn from our mistakes.” Bozkir urged everyone to join him in trusting science, supporting early warning mechanisms, and standing together in solidarity.

“We will prepare as we have never prepared before – so that epidemics and pandemics can no longer cause the kind of suffering we have seen across the globe this year,” the President of the General Assembly urged.

In a separate message, Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the UN World Health Organisation (WHO), highlighted the importance of a “One Health Approach”, which integrates human health, animal health, and plant health, as well as environmental factors.

This is all the more important given that 75 percent of new and emerging human infectious diseases are zoonotic, caused by germs that spread between animals and people, he said.

Tedros said, “Any efforts to improve human health are doomed unless they address the critical interface between humans and animals.”

The head of WHO also urged countries to invest in preparedness capacity to prevent, detect and mitigate emergencies and reiterated the importance of strong primary health systems as the foundation of universal health coverage as well as the “eyes and ears” of health systems everywhere.

“True preparedness is not just a job of the health sector, it requires an all-of-government and all-of-society approach,” he added

 

Today is the first ever International Day of #EpidemicPreparedness

WHO calls on countries to invest their capacities to prevent, detect & mitigate emergencies of all kinds.

More in detail https://t.co/t2UVWVTzZ6 pic.twitter.com/0BnTvDMMZ9

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) December 27, 2020