World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has called on countries to sign a pandemic treaty in order to prepare for the potential outbreak of “Disease X.” Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ghebreyesus expressed his hope that countries would reach an agreement by May to address this “common enemy.”
Disease X is a hypothetical virus that has not yet emerged, but scientists believe it could be 20 times deadlier than COVID-19. It was added to the WHO’s list of pathogens for research in 2017 due to its potential to cause a serious international epidemic. Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of preparing for another pandemic, stating that COVID-19 was the first Disease X.
During his speech, Ghebreyesus highlighted the need for a system that can expand to meet the demands of a pandemic. He noted that many lives were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a lack of resources and infrastructure. By signing the pandemic treaty, countries can establish a shared response that will enable them to better react to future outbreaks.
Ghebreyesus stressed the significance of collective action, stating that the treaty would bring together the experiences, challenges, and solutions from previous pandemics. He emphasized that narrow national interests should not hinder global cooperation in addressing public health emergencies.
Independent panels and experts have been working on developing strategies for a collective response, including an early-warning system, organized supply chains, and advancements in research and development. Ghebreyesus also highlighted the need to improve primary healthcare, as wealthy countries struggled with basic measures like contact tracing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The treaty negotiations began in March 2021, with world leaders announcing their commitment to fostering an all-of-government and all-of-society approach. The goal of the treaty is to strengthen national, regional, and global capacities and resilience to future pandemics. This includes enhancing international cooperation in areas such as alert systems, data-sharing, research, and the production and distribution of medical and public health countermeasures.
However, there have been critics of the treaty, particularly from the GOP in the United States. Some argue that it could infringe on national sovereignty and give too much power to the WHO. Representative Tim Burchett from Tennessee expressed concerns about the vagueness of the treaty and its potential impact on Americans’ healthcare decisions during a global pandemic.
In conclusion, WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has called on countries to sign a pandemic treaty to prepare for the potential outbreak of “Disease X.” By establishing a shared response and improving global cooperation, countries can better respond to future pandemics. However, there are concerns about the treaty’s impact on national sovereignty and healthcare decisions. The deadline for signing the treaty is in May, and world leaders are working towards fostering an all-of-government and all-of-society approach to strengthen global resilience to pandemics.
