The new director-general of the World Health Organisation has warned G20 leaders that the world is “not well prepared” for major health pandemics.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said an emergency simulation exercise that was undertaken in Berlin had revealed a number of vulnerabilities.
He told the world leaders, meeting in Hamburg, Germany, that the exercise highlighted two major issues: that pandemics of infectious diseases and other threats to health, such as anti-microbial resistance, make everyone vulnerable because they transcend borders; and that WHO and governments are too often reactive and not proactive.
“Therefore we require a strong global response – that we need to remain connected in our inter-connected world,” he said.
“We do not know where the next global pandemic will occur, we don’t know when it will occur, but it will be costly in lives and dollars.
“With airline travel – three billion travellers every year – global spread of any new pathogen would occur in hours. As well as untold human suffering, the economic losses would be measured in trillions, including the losses of tourism, trade, consumer confidence and also including political problems and challenges. There will be two epidemics – one caused by the virus, and the other one caused by fear.”
He said the West Africa Ebola outbreak of 2014 had demonstrated that WHO and the global community had to confront a tough reality that had left the world unprepared.
“At the height of outbreaks, we are galvanised but we quickly lose focus. Our world cannot afford this vicious cycle to continue,” added Dr Tedros.
He told G20 that the Ebola outbreak demonstrated that the global system is only as strong as its weakest link – and that this must be addressed so that the most vulnerable communities can receive health care.
Dr Tedros called for four priorities: sustainably financing the global health security system to prevent, detect and respond to emerging threats; mapping all capacities in countries and use them in a co-ordinated manner; support the goal of Universal Health Coverage in line with the sustainable development goals; and prioritise research and development of new medical counter-measures through the Research and Development Blueprint of the World Health Organisation.
“Delivering on these priorities will cost money but only a fraction of what remaining unprepared will cost,” he added.
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