Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, has warned nations to be ready for the next pandemic.
This was mentioned by Dr. Ghebreyesus on Monday at the 76th World Health Assembly, which is taking place in Geneva and aims to address issues such as polio eradication and potential pandemics.
The COVID-19 is still a threat to global health, he claimed, even if it is no longer a global health emergency.
According to him, the threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains.
“And the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains. And pandemics are far from the only threat we face. In a world of overlapping and converging crises, an effective architecture for health emergency preparedness and response must address emergencies of all kinds.
“This year’s High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Preparedness and Response is a valuable opportunity for leaders to chart a clear path forward towards that future.
“We cannot kick this can down the road. If we do not make the changes that must be made, then who will? And if we do not make them now, then when? When the next pandemic comes knocking – and it will – we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively and equitably,” he said.
