The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Saturday that member countries have approved new measures to enhance global preparedness and response to pandemics like COVID-19 and mpox. Updates to the International Health Regulations were agreed upon in order to define the term “pandemic emergency” and to improve access to financing and medical products for developing countries. These amendments mark the first changes to the regulations since 2005.
At the conclusion of this year’s six-day World Health Assembly, it was decided to postpone the adoption of a comprehensive pandemic treaty due to disagreements between developing and wealthy countries regarding the sharing of technology and pathogens involved in outbreaks. However, countries have committed to finalizing negotiations for the treaty within the year.
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed optimism about the success of the IHR amendments, emphasizing the ability of countries to find common ground in addressing global health challenges. Public health experts, including Lawrence Gostin from Georgetown University, have lauded the amendments as a significant step towards enhancing health security and simplifying negotiations for the pandemic agreement.
The newly defined pandemic emergency criteria encompass diseases with widespread geographical spread or high risk of such, exceeding national health response capacities, causing substantial economic or social disruptions, and necessitating swift international action. These changes will take effect one year after formal notification by Tedros to member countries.
Yuanqiong Hu of Doctors without Borders highlighted the importance of the revised health regulations in promoting equity in access to health products during global health emergencies. The updates aim to enhance coordination and response mechanisms to better address future pandemics and health crises.
