Brief Context
In News Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) have finalized a proposal for the World Pandemic Treaty. More About the News The proposal was finalised by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established in December 2021 to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument, under the WHO Constitution, to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. It would be presented in May at the 78th World Health Assembly for consideration.
Source Content
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
In News
- Members of the World Health Organization (WHO) have finalized a proposal for the World Pandemic Treaty.
More About the News
- The proposal was finalised by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), established in December 2021 to draft and negotiate a convention, agreement or other international instrument, under the WHO Constitution, to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
- It would be presented in May at the 78th World Health Assembly for consideration.
Objective of the Treaty
- To ensure coordinated global response to pandemics while strengthening national and global:
- Prevention strategies
- Preparedness capacities
- Resilience of health systems
- Equitable access to pandemic-related resources
Need for the Treaty
- Fragmented Global Response: Countries responded in disconnected, uncoordinated ways—closing borders, hoarding supplies, and imposing export bans.
- The treaty would promote international cooperation and harmonised policy responses during public health emergencies.
- R&D and Technology Gaps: Disparity in research and production capabilities limited rapid response, especially in the Global South.
- The agreement promotes technology transfer, capacity building, and geographically diverse R&D.
- Lack of Timely Information Sharing: Delayed reporting of outbreaks and inadequate transparency in data sharing worsened the global spread of the virus.
- Disruption in Global Supply Chains: Shortages of essential medical supplies revealed the fragility of global supply chains.
- The agreement aims to establish a resilient global logistics and supply mechanism for future crises.
- Unequal Access to Health Products: During COVID-19, high-income countries secured vaccines and treatments disproportionately.
- Low- and middle-income nations faced delays in accessing diagnostics, vaccines, PPE, and treatments.
Key Provisions of the Draft Treaty
- Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing System: It establishes a framework for sharing pathogens and ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments derived from them.
- Pandemic Prevention via One Health Approach: Treaty encourages integrated surveillance of human, animal, and environmental health.
- Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: Promotes sharing of technology, knowledge, and skills to enhance R&D and production across diverse geographies.
- Health Workforce Mobilisation: Proposes a global pool of trained and multidisciplinary professionals for rapid pandemic response.
- Coordinated Financial Mechanism: Sets up a fund or mechanism to support preparedness and emergency response, especially in lower-income countries.
- Resilient Health Systems: Calls for strengthening core health infrastructure, preparedness drills, and public health communication systems.
- Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network: Establishes a coordinated mechanism for uninterrupted supply and distribution of essential health commodities.
Current Frameworks to Deal with Pandemics
- International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005): Legally binding international instrument coordinated by WHO.
- Requires countries to detect, assess, report, and respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC).
- Example: COVID-19 was declared a PHEIC under IHR in Jan 2020.
- Limitations: No enforcement power; countries can delay reporting or ignore WHO recommendations.
- Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN): A network of over 250 institutions coordinated by WHO.
- Provides rapid deployment of experts during outbreaks.
- Example: Mobilized teams for Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19 responses.
Source: DTE