Latest news with #WHO-coordinated
Business Recorder
27-04-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
WHO pandemic treaty
EDITORIAL: The recent landmark agreement reached by member states of the World Health Organisation (WHO) represents a critical juncture in the global management of future pandemics. After more than three years of complex and sometimes contentious negotiations, the WHO countries have successfully struck a deal to establish a comprehensive pandemic treaty aimed at addressing the severe inadequacies exposed during the Covid-19 crisis. This agreement must be welcomed, as it lays a necessary foundation for greater global cooperation, preparedness, and equitable access to healthcare resources in future global health emergencies. Central to the treaty is the introduction of the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS). This innovative mechanism is designed to streamline the rapid sharing of pathogen-related data with pharmaceutical firms, expediting the development and distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. By committing to this level of transparency and cooperation, the treaty directly addresses one of the greatest failures of the global response to Covid-19—the slow and uneven distribution of crucial medical resources. Ensuring that medical breakthroughs swiftly translate into universally accessible healthcare solutions is undoubtedly one of the treaty's most commendable components. Another notable achievement of the agreement is its nuanced approach towards technology transfers. Technology transfer, particularly concerning pharmaceutical products developed during pandemics, has historically been a sticking point, with powerful pharmaceutical interests often prioritising intellectual property rights above public health needs. The finalised text of the treaty states that such transfers must be 'mutually agreed,' thereby finding a pragmatic balance between protecting intellectual property and facilitating widespread access to essential health technologies. While this compromise may not satisfy all stakeholders fully, it is a significant step forward, showing that member states recognise the imperative of balancing commercial interests with public health necessities. Additionally, the treaty contains a pivotal commitment by pharmaceutical manufacturers to allocate 20 percent of their real-time pandemic-related production to WHO-coordinated efforts. This clause directly addresses the stark inequities witnessed during the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, where wealthy nations secured large portions of early vaccine supplies, leaving many developing countries dangerously exposed. This structured allocation will play a vital role in ensuring equitable access, offering a degree of protection against vaccine nationalism and commercial exploitation in future crises. Despite its evident strengths, though, the treaty is not without challenges. Most notably, the absence of the United States, following its announced departure from the WHO, significantly undermines the treaty's global reach and effectiveness. American participation and leadership have historically played key roles in international health responses. Without US involvement, there remains a potential gap in implementation and financing, as well as uncertainty regarding global leadership in health crises. The true test of this agreement, however, will come in its practical implementation. Member states must not only ratify, but actively enforce and operationalise its provisions. Adequate funding, political commitment, and sustained global solidarity are crucial if the treaty is to transcend symbolic significance and achieve practical effectiveness. It will require governments to look beyond immediate national interests and embrace a genuinely cooperative stance on global health. In welcoming this treaty, it is vital to recognise that pandemics are not isolated health events; they are global phenomena requiring robust, collective responses. This landmark agreement signifies a strong international consensus on the necessity of preparedness, equity, and transparency in managing future pandemics. However, the real work begins now. The international community must remain vigilant and committed to ensuring that these ambitious aspirations translate into concrete actions, safeguarding humanity's collective health and well-being in the years to come. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eight countries could run out of HIV treatments due to USAID cuts, WHO says
By Mariam Sunny and Christy Santhosh (Reuters) -The Trump administration's decision to pause U.S. foreign aid has "substantially disrupted" supply of HIV treatments in eight countries, which could soon run out of these life-saving medicines, the World Health Organization said on Monday. The global health agency said that Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria and Ukraine could exhaust their supply of HIV treatments in the coming months. "The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference. He added that this could lead to over 10 million additional HIV cases and three million HIV-related deaths. Efforts to tackle HIV, polio, malaria and tuberculosis have been impacted by the U.S. foreign aid pause implemented by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office in January. The WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, with over 700 sites worldwide, also faces imminent shutdown, the agency said. This comes at a time when measles is making a comeback in the United States. The United States has a "responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws direct funding for countries, it's done in an orderly and humane way that allows them to find alternative sources of funding," Ghebreyesus said on Monday. Funding shortages could also force 80% of WHO-supported essential health care services in Afghanistan to close, the agency said in a separate statement. As of March 4, 167 health facilities had shut down due to funding shortages, and without urgent intervention, over 220 more facilities could close by June. The United States' plans to exit the WHO have also forced the UN agency, which typically receives about a fifth of its overall annual funding from the U.S., to freeze hiring and initiate budget cuts. The WHO said on Monday that it plans to cut its funding target for emergency operations to $872 million from $1.2 billion in the 2026-2027 budget period.
Reuters
17-03-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Eight countries could run out of HIV treatments due to USAID cuts, WHO says
March 17 (Reuters) - The Trump administration's decision to pause U.S. foreign aid has "substantially disrupted" supply of HIV treatments in eight countries, which could soon run out of these life-saving medicines, the World Health Organization said on Monday. The global health agency said that Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria and Ukraine could exhaust their supply of HIV treatments in the coming months. here. "The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference. He added that this could lead to over 10 million additional HIV cases and three million HIV-related deaths. Efforts to tackle HIV, polio, malaria and tuberculosis have been impacted by the U.S. foreign aid pause implemented by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office in January. The WHO-coordinated Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network, with over 700 sites worldwide, also faces imminent shutdown, the agency said. This comes at a time when measles is making a comeback in the United States. The United States has a "responsibility to ensure that if it withdraws direct funding for countries, it's done in an orderly and humane way that allows them to find alternative sources of funding," Ghebreyesus said on Monday. Funding shortages could also force 80% of WHO-supported essential health care services in Afghanistan to close, the agency said in a separate statement. As of March 4, 167 health facilities had shut down due to funding shortages, and without urgent intervention, over 220 more facilities could close by June. The United States' plans to exit the WHO have also forced the UN agency, which typically receives about a fifth of its overall annual funding from the U.S., to freeze hiring and initiate budget cuts. The WHO said on Monday that it plans to cut its funding target for emergency operations to $872 million from $1.2 billion in the 2026-2027 budget period.
