May 29, 2024
Public Health/Prevention | Tea Leaves
  • Negotiations on a pandemic treaty have hit a snag, raising concerns about global preparedness for future viral threats at the World Health Assembly’s recent opening. Despite two years of discussions, a draft treaty wasn’t ready for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual meeting. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged action from the Assembly, stating that the solution lies within their decisions. While the possibility of extending treaty negotiations remains, the immediate focus could shift towards amending the International Health Regulations for better pandemic preparedness. The deadlock in treaty talks stemmed from disputes over sharing genetic data and vaccines between rich and poor nations. (Articles here and here)