WHO Warns Of Next Pandemic, “With Even Deadlier Potential”
First Published: 24th May, 2023 11:52 IST
The head of the WHO said this as he presented his report to the 76th World Health Assembly
The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a warning that the world must get ready for the next pandemic, which might be “even deadlier” than the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when COVID cases are somewhat stabilising around the world, a Reuters report said.
“The end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency is not the end of COVID-19 as a global health threat,” Mr Tedros said.
“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.”
The head of the WHO said this as he presented his report to the 76th World Health Assembly.
Furthermore, in the face of overlapping and converging crises, “pandemics are far from the only threat we face”, he added, underscoring the need for effective global mechanisms that address and respond to emergencies of all kinds.
“When the next pandemic comes knocking-and it will-we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively, and equitably,” he advised.
Tedros said COVID-19 had significant implications for health-related targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have a deadline of 2030.
The pandemic also affected progress towards the Triple Billion targets, announced at the 2017 World Health Assembly.
The five-year initiative calls for ensuring one billion more people have universal health coverage, a billion more are better protected from health emergencies, and another billion more enjoy better health and wellbeing.
“The pandemic has blown us off course, but it has shown us why the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must remain our north star, and why we must pursue them with the same urgency and determination with which we countered the pandemic,” he said.
Also Read: Nepalese Sherpa guide sets world record, scales Mt Everest for 28th time
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Stones pelted in Longding during scrutiny of nomination papers
28th March 2024Live Assam: Bhutan king visits Dhubri on way back home from Bangladesh
28th March 2024Live Assamese documentary ‘Fehujali’ wins ‘Best Short Documentary’ award at 7th New Delhi Film Festival
28th March 2024Live Over 5,000 people from Muslim community join BJP in Assam today
28th March 2024WE RECOMMEND
Bijay Chhetri becomes first Indian to join Latin American club Colon Futbol Club on loan
Colon Futbol team is a 116-year-old professional football team headquartered in Montevideo that presently competes in Uruguay's second division.
28th March 2024Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Six missing workers presumed dead, says Maryland state police
Earlier, as stated by US President Joe Biden, eight people were unaccounted for after the Baltimore Bridge collapse, out of which two have been rescued
27th March 20246.9 magnitude earthquake jolts Papua New Guinea
A strong earthquake of 7.0 magnitude killed at least seven people in April last year
24th March 2024PM Modi to embark on 2-day Bhutan Visit: What it means for the 2 nations?
Mr Modi's visit to Bhutan comes just days after his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay' s tour of India and the meetings he had with the Indian Prime Minister, the President and other leaders.
20th March 20248-hour intermittent fasting each day increases risk of cardiovascular death: Study
The researchers, led by Victor Zhong of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, analyzed data from adults included in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
19th March 2024