DAVOS, Switzerland. World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus has made a fervent appeal to countries worldwide to join the organization in signing a global pandemic treaty, aiming to fortify the world’s defenses against a potential future threat known as “Disease X.” Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Ghebreyesus stressed the urgency of reaching a pandemic agreement by May to collectively address what he referred to as a “common enemy.”
Disease X is a hypothetical viral placeholder that has not yet materialized but is speculated to be potentially 20 times deadlier than COVID-19. The World Health Organization added Disease X to its shortlist of pathogens in 2017, identifying it as a potential cause for a “serious international epidemic.”
Ghebreyesus asserted that while COVID-19 was the first instance of Disease X, it is crucial to prepare for future pandemics, considering the unpredictable nature of infectious diseases. “There are things that are unknown that may happen, and anything happening is a matter of when, not if, so we need to have a placeholder for that, for the diseases we don’t know,” he emphasized.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghebreyesus highlighted the need for a system that can expand rapidly when required. He emphasized the importance of a shared international response through the proposed treaty, bringing together experiences, challenges, and solutions to enhance global preparedness.
“The pandemic agreement can bring all the experience, all the challenges that we have faced and all the solutions into one,” Ghebreyesus said. “That agreement can help us to prepare for the future in a better way.”
Ghebreyesus outlined potential preparedness responses, including the establishment of an early-warning system, organization of supply chains, and advancement in research and development for drug testing. Primary health care, particularly the effectiveness of contact tracing, was identified as a crucial aspect, given the challenges faced by wealthier nations during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Director-General emphasized the collective responsibility of the global community, stating, “This is a common global interest, and very narrow national interests should not come into the way.” Independent panels and experts have been working collaboratively, and a deadline for signing the treaty is set for May.
World leaders initially announced the negotiation and drafting of the treaty in March 2021, with the primary goal of fostering a comprehensive, all-encompassing approach to pandemics. This includes strengthening national, regional, and global capacities, enhancing international cooperation in areas such as alert systems, data-sharing, and the production and distribution of medical countermeasures.
While the Biden administration engaged in negotiations for the global pandemic treaty last year, critics, particularly from the GOP, expressed concerns about potential sovereignty issues. Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee voiced skepticism, stating, “The World Health Organization pandemic treaty is very vague, it affects our sovereignty, and it could be exploited to tell Americans what kind of health care they need in the event of a global pandemic.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
