We Can Beat COVID-19 But Must Prepare For Next Pandemic Now, Says WHO

Today, COVID-19 pandemic has caused catastrophic damage to the lives of people on this planet -- whether it¡¯s health-wise or economically.

The lockdown imposed has caused businesses to suffer immense losses, with several businesses even shutting down.

Reuters

The battle is not yet over as we desperately wait for a vaccine that could take the novel coronavirus down. And amidst this, just before the 73rd World Health Assembly, WHO has shared how it feels that humanity around the world came together to take down the novel coronavirus and how it will achieve it soon.

WHO says, ¡°Although this is a global crisis, many countries and cities have successfully prevented or controlled transmission with a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. For the first time, the world has rallied behind a plan to accelerate the development of the vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics we need, and to ensure they are available to all countries on the basis of equity. The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator is delivering real results.¡±

WHO's 73rd assembly¡¯s goal is to introduce a 10-year plan to address the tropical diseases that have been neglected along with tackling medical conditions like epilepsy, meningitis and other neurological disorders. This will also put emphasis on maternal, infant and young child nutrition as well as making digital health a lot more prominent.

WHO has also stated that now the world has to be prepared for the next pandemic that could hit our planet, ¡°We¡¯ve seen this past year that countries with robust health emergency preparedness infrastructure have been able to act quickly to contain and control the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.¡±

Reuters

WHO plans to draft a resolution aimed at strengthening nations and their preparedness to respond to pandemic outbreaks like the novel coronavirus.

Amina J. Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General and the UNSDG Chair said, ¡°For the first time, we all recognize this is a development emergency of global proportions. Governments, communities, and citizens have mobilized accordingly ¨C and our UN teams too have stepped up, together, from the onset of the pandemic to address the health, humanitarian and socioeconomic needs. In many ways, this is an expression of global solidarity and response to the most vulnerable. But much more needs to be done, even faster.¡±

Should nations be better prepared for pandemic outbreaks going forward? What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below...