Another Pandemic Threat to the World: Be Prepared, Says WHO!
NEWS CHARIOT:-The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning to the global community about the certainty of another pandemic, urging countries to strengthen their preparedness efforts immediately. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the statement during a high-level meeting on the Pandemic Agreement held in Geneva.
Speaking at the summit, Dr. Tedros emphasized that the emergence of a new pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. “It could happen 20 years from now, or it could happen tomorrow,” he said. “This is not speculation. It is an epidemiological certainty.”
The warning comes as the world continues to grapple with the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives and disrupted economies worldwide. “While official reports cite 7 million deaths, the actual number could be closer to 20 million,” said Dr. Tedros. He also noted that the global economic cost of COVID-19 exceeded $10 trillion.
Drawing parallels with the 1918 influenza pandemic, which killed an estimated 50 million people, Dr. Tedros reminded world leaders of the devastating potential of global health emergencies. He underscored that waiting for the next crisis to act would be a grave mistake.
Dr. Tedros also expressed hope that member states would come to an agreement on the proposed international Pandemic Accord. “This agreement is not about taking away national sovereignty—it’s about strengthening global solidarity and national resilience,” he said. “No country can face such threats alone.”
The Pandemic Accord, currently under negotiation, aims to improve information sharing, enhance vaccine access, and establish better response coordination across borders. WHO believes the agreement will be crucial in building a more resilient global health system.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Tedros called for unity, saying the world needs a strong message of collective responsibility. “Let us not wait for the next pandemic to remind us of what we should have done. The time to act is now.”
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