Latest news with #OrazioSchillaci
Medscape
26-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Italy Abstains From WHO Pandemic Pact: Sovereignty or Unity?
On May 20, 2025, member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the world's first Pandemic Agreement with 124 votes in favour and 11 abstentions. The landmark decision by the 78th World Health Assembly culminates in more than 3 years of intensive negotiations launched by governments in response to the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and driven by the goal of making the world safer from and more equitable in response to future pandemics. During the vote in Geneva, Italy abstained along with 10 other countries, including Iran, Singapore, Russia, Israel, Poland, and Slovakia. The Italian government justified its choice by emphasising the need to protect national sovereignty, despite Italy being one of the main advocates of the initiative after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the countries that voted in favour, the final version of the agreement already included explicit clauses to safeguard national autonomy: The WHO cannot impose decisions on governments regarding lockdowns or other health measures. A Partial Surprise This news was not entirely unexpected. During the first plenary discussion on the draft of the Pandemic Agreement in 2024, the Italian Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci, stated that there were too many critical points. 'We expect the redefinition of a clear roadmap, allowing adequate time to reach a consensus that Italy considers ratifiable, including the necessary improvements to guarantee health for all,' Schillaci had noted at that time. After another year of negotiations, Italy kept its stance: 'With today's abstention, Italy intends to reiterate its position regarding the need to reaffirm the States sovereignty in addressing public health matters,' read a statement from the Health Ministry. 'We appreciate,' the statement reads, 'that this principle has been included in the text of the Pandemic Agreement. We also welcome that, in announcing the conclusion of the negotiations, the WHO specified that the Pandemic Agreement does not entitle the WHO to direct, order, alter, or prescribe national laws or policies or mandate States to take specific actions, such as ban or accept travellers impose vaccinations or therapeutic or diagnostic measures, or implement lockdowns. We also believe that the agreement shall be implemented in full respect of the principles of proportionality and protection of fundamental rights, including the protection of personal data and individual freedom. Keeping in mind these principles, Italy looks forward to continuing working together with other WHO member States to define the remaining pending issues, which, in our view deserve further investigation.' However, the conclusion is negative: 'Holding these principles, Italy hopes to continue to collaborate with other WHO member states to define the outstanding issues that, in our opinion, deserve further investigation.' When explicitly asked by the press about outstanding issues, the minister did not give an answer. The choice was entirely political is confirmed by the statements of Marco Lisei, senator of Fratelli d'Italia and president of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the management of the COVID emergency, who stated that. 'Italy, even on the front of health prophylaxis strategies, has finally returned to play a role no longer as a gregarious but as a protagonist in the international forum, and this episode proves it.' He acknowledged that the text has now improved thanks to Italy's interventions, but still not enough. It was right to abstain, also in view of upcoming appointments and negotiations. On the other side, there is the voice of the opposition: 'The choice to abstain on the global pandemic plan promoted by the WHO is very serious. The Meloni government decides to isolate the country to follow the denialist and anti-scientific sirens. No lesson from COVID, rather a closure in the face of the reasons of science and the need to coordinate strategies, resources, and research at a global level,' said Chiara Braga, Democratic Party leader (PD) in the Chamber of Deputies. Beatrice Lorenzin, vice president of the PD senators and former Health Minister, called it 'an incomprehensible and anti-historical choice.' A Success for WHO The WHO Pandemic Agreement is a crucial step in restoring the WHO's leadership after years of uncertainty, worsened by the disengagement of the United States during the Trump Administration. The WHO Pandemic Agreement is the second international legal agreement negotiated under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, the first of which is the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, adopted in 2003 and came into force in 2005. The WHO's financial situation also shows signs of improvement as member states pledged at least $170 million in additional funding to support the Fourteenth General Programme of Work, which aims to save up to 40 million lives over the next 4 years. In addition, member states approved a 20% increase in fixed quotas, setting the budget for 2026-2027 at $4.2 billion. This follows a similar planned increase for 2024-2025. Agreement The agreement aims to strengthen the world's ability to prevent and respond to pandemics, based on the principles of 'equity, solidarity, transparency, and respect for human rights.' It is designed to be operational during and between pandemics, ensuring ongoing and structured preparedness. Equity is central to this agreement. It acknowledges that unequal access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in serious and lasting consequences. The new agreement requires signatory countries to ensure equitable access to pandemic health products, to facilitate 'local and regional production' in developing countries, to promote the transfer of technology and know-how, and, finally, to ensure 'transparent benefit sharing' arising from research on pathogens. It also launches a process to draft and negotiate a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system (PABS) through an Intergovernmental Working Group. According to the agreement, pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in the PABS will play a key role in ensuring equitable and timely access to pandemic-related health products. At least 20% of the real-time production of safe, quality, and effective vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics must be allocated to the system, including 10% as a donation and the rest at affordable prices. The agreement also established a Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network coordinated by the WHO to ensure rapid, safe, and equitable access to health products in emergency settings. Mechanisms will be put in place to identify logistical barriers, estimate supply and demand, manage international stocks, and facilitate supplies, with particular attention paid to the most vulnerable countries. Health Systems and Funding The text includes measures to improve the 'resilience of national health systems,' strengthen local healthcare and primary care, invest in healthcare personnel, and improve regulatory and surveillance abilities. It also promotes the one-health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health to prevent pandemics. Additionally, a financial coordination mechanism will be established to ensure predictable and sustainable resources, particularly for low- and middle-income countries. The mechanism also aligns with the requirements outlined in the International Health Regulations (2005). The agreement provides for the establishment of a Conference of the Parties, which will oversee implementation, update guidelines, coordinate financial mechanisms, and assess the effectiveness of the agreement every 5 years. Each partner state is required to submit periodic reports on progress made. Implications for Italy Italy's absence from the list of signatory countries does not automatically mean complete disengagement. However, it could exclude Italy from participating in the multilateral governance of the new system. This may limit priority access to international stockpiles during emergencies and reduce opportunities for structured scientific and financial cooperation with other member states. The medical and scientific communities have reacted promptly. Walter Ricciardi, MD, MPH, MSc, a former scientific advisor to the Italian Minister of Health and an advocate of the agreement, said, 'A choice that has no scientific or public health explanation. Just look at the bad company we voted with.' 'There is no denying that this pandemic agreement is a significant step forward. I do not know what really underlies the decision to opt out. But as a doctor and a public health representative, it is a decision that leaves me very perplexed,' noted Franco Locatelli, MD, Head of the Department of Paediatric Haematology at Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome, Italy, and former president of the Higher Council of Health.
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia and Italy to enhance cooperation in health sector
RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Health Fahd AlJalajel met with Italian Minister of Health Prof. Orazio Schillaci in Riyadh on Saturday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the health sector and exchanged views on several topics of mutual interest. The ministers affirmed the depth and strength of bilateral relations between the two countries. They hailed the vital role played by the Saudi Italian Strategic Partnership Council in supporting and expanding cooperation in various fields, particularly in the health sector. The ministers highlighted the importance of exchanging expertise and knowledge between the two sides; participating in research, development, innovation, and technologies used in the Virtual Health Hospital; and coordinating joint efforts to contribute to supporting global health security and enhancing its ability to address the health challenges that would lie ahead. The Italian minister toured the command-and-control center and the Virtual Health Hospital, during which he praised the hospital, its digital and technical capabilities, as well as its remarkable achievements. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
19-04-2025
- Health
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia and Italy to enhance cooperation in health sector
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Health Fahd AlJalajel met with Italian Minister of Health Prof. Orazio Schillaci in Riyadh on Saturday. During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the health sector and exchanged views on several topics of mutual interest. The ministers affirmed the depth and strength of bilateral relations between the two countries. They hailed the vital role played by the Saudi Italian Strategic Partnership Council in supporting and expanding cooperation in various fields, particularly in the health sector. The ministers highlighted the importance of exchanging expertise and knowledge between the two sides; participating in research, development, innovation, and technologies used in the Virtual Health Hospital; and coordinating joint efforts to contribute to supporting global health security and enhancing its ability to address the health challenges that would lie ahead. The Italian minister toured the command-and-control center and the Virtual Health Hospital, during which he praised the hospital, its digital and technical capabilities, as well as its remarkable achievements.
Arab News
16-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Italian health minister explores key areas of cooperation during Riyadh visit
RIYADH: Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci met his Saudi counterpart Fahad Al-Jalajel and senior officials to explore key areas of medical excellence and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, during an official visit to Riyadh on Wednesday. Schillaci told Arab News that there were prospects for collaboration with Saudi Arabia in the healthcare sector and in advanced medical technologies. 'During my visit to Riyadh I was able to appreciate the excellence of the Saudi healthcare system,' he said. 'I also had the opportunity to confirm Italy's willingness to explore avenues of collaboration in the healthcare sector and advanced medical technologies between our two countries, in the wake of the strategic partnership launched by our prime minister last January. 'Cooperation in projects regarding virtual hospitals and artificial intelligence tools applied to medicine is of particular interest to Italy,' Schillaci said. Saudi Arabia was known to be committed to developing its healthcare sector through sharing best practices with its main partners, such as Italy, he said, and by promoting the use of modern technologies, particularly in the pharmaceutical field. Several agreements between Italian and Saudi entities in the health sector had already been announced, he said. In addition to these existing agreements, Schillaci expressed an intention to further develop interactions between the two countries, including through the development of innovative technologies, telemedicine and antimicrobials. Schillaci underlined the importance of close collaboration with Saudi Arabia. 'Cooperation also through the exchange of experiences will allow the two countries to benefit from the potential available in terms of innovation and modern technologies, with the aim of offering an ever-improving medical service,' he said. During his Saudi trip, the minister visited several hospitals, appreciating, among other things, the technologies that were contributing to the medical progress of the country and offering excellent treatment for patients. Schillaci began his official visit to Riyadh with a meeting with Al-Jalajel on Monday. This was followed by visits to Seha Virtual Hospital, the National Health Command Center and meetings with the CEOs of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, National Unified Procurement Company, with Khaled Al-Kattan, dean of Alfaisal University's College of Medicine, with Dr. Bjorn Zoega, deputy chief executive officer, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and with Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib, chairman of Sulaiman Al-Habib Group. Seha Virtual Hospital, using innovative technologies, supports 170 hospitals around the Kingdom, and provides 29 basic specialized health services, in addition to more than 73 sub-specialty services. The virtual hospital is one of the priority initiatives in the health sector transformation program under Saudi Vision 2030. The visit to KFSHRC aimed to explore key areas of medical excellence and gain insight into Saudi Arabia's expertise in advancing specialized health care services. The visit featured a comprehensive briefing on the KFSHRC Heart Center of Excellence and the Organ Transplant Center of Excellence, along with an overview of the latest technologies for treating complex cardiac conditions and performing minimally invasive robotic surgeries. The visit reflects the growing global interest in KFSHRC's pioneering model, which integrates clinical expertise with cutting-edge medical technologies, the hospital said in a press release. The hospital has achieved several milestones, including the world's first fully robotic heart transplant and the first fully robotic liver transplant, reinforcing its standing as a global reference in advanced specialized care.
Zawya
16-04-2025
- Health
- Zawya
KFSHRC receives Italy's Health Minister, highlights medical advancements
Riyadh: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh received H.E. Orazio Schillaci, Italy's Minister of Health, during an official visit aimed at exploring key areas of medical excellence and learning more about Saudi Arabia's experience in advancing specialized healthcare services. H.E. was welcomed by Dr. Björn Zoëga, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of KFSHRC. The visit featured a comprehensive briefing on the Heart Centre of Excellence and the Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, along with an overview of the latest technologies used in treating complex cardiac conditions and performing minimally invasive robotic surgeries. These innovations have significantly reduced complications, accelerated recovery, and lowered healthcare costs. This visit reflects the growing global interest in KFSHRC's pioneering model, which integrates deep clinical expertise with cutting-edge medical technologies. The hospital has achieved several historic milestones, including the world's first fully robotic heart transplant and the first fully robotic liver transplant. These breakthroughs reinforce its standing as a global reference in advanced specialized care. It is noteworthy that KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 15th globally in the list of the world's top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year and has been recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2025 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, in the same year, it was ranked among the world's best 250 hospitals and included in the World's Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025 by Newsweek magazine. For more information, visit or contact our media team at mediacoverage@
