The head of the World Health Organization says in a New Year’s report that he is optimistic that the world can beat the pandemic this year. But it will require the right attitude from rich countries as well.
– If we stop the inequality, we will stop the pandemic, says Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu, head of the WHO in a message on Linkedin. He has given it the title “My hope to end the pandemic in 2022”.
At the same time, he warns of “narrow-minded nationalism and hoarding of vaccines”, he writes. Exactly that message is not new – Dr. Tedros said last week that he means rich countries prolong the pandemic by entering into races to give its residents booster doses.
Narrow-minded nationalism and hoarding of vaccines from some countries have undermined equality, and created an ideal basis for the omicron variant to emerge. The longer the inequality continues, the higher the risk that the virus will develop in ways we can not predict, he says.
At the same time, he is optimistic because there are now many more tools to use to treat covid-19.
Assistant Director of Health Espen Rostrup Nakstad has also commented on the corona situation in the new year:
In a video he has shared on Twitter, the WHO chief says that “a new year brings new intentions”. He then shares his New Year’s resolutions for the world:
– First we must end the pandemic. To do so, all countries must work together to achieve the vaccine targets of having vaccinated 70 percent of the population in all countries by mid-2022, he begins.
Here are all of Dr. Tedros’ New Year’s resolutions for the world in 2022:
- Authorities must continue to test, sequence and notify new variants – without having to fear that discoveries of new variants will be punished by other countries.
- All of us must play our part: wear face masks, avoid large crowds and meet outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms whenever possible.
- End the pandemic by vaccinating 70 percent of the world’s population by the middle of the year.
- Build a stronger framework for international health security, to prevent and respond more quickly if new diseases are discovered.
- All countries must invest in stronger basic health services for their people.
– Covid-19 has shown that when health is threatened, everything is threatened. Therefore, the WHO will continue to work to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable, says Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu in the New Year’s report.
– I wish all people, everywhere, a very happy, safe and healthy 2022.
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