NEW YORK (TURKISH JOURNAL) – Pia Bozyel –United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, warning against future pandemics, underlined, “When the next pandemic arrives, we must do better. But we’re not yet ready. We must prepare and act on the lessons of COVID-19.”
Guterres published a written message on the “International Day of Epidemic Preparedness”.
Drawing attention to the importance of cooperation in improving surveillance of viruses, strengthening health systems and investing in universal health coverage, Guterres called for improving World Health Organization’s authority and financing.
Noting the advantageous position of developed countries, Guterres said, “We must renounce the moral and medical disaster of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic healthcare supplies, and ensure everyone has access to diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.”
Guterres, acknowledging that the Covid-19 pandemic is no longer an “international public health emergency”, he warned that the disease is still present with warring economic impacts.
UN Chief called on countries to learn the necessary lessons from Covid-19 and prepare for future pandemics, warning that the world is not yet ready for future pandemics.
UN General Assembly had declared the 27th of December as “International Day of Epidemic Preparedness” in 2020.
