Ebola, Hantavirus Take Center Stage in WHA Geneva Talks

More than one hundred and ninety countries are meeting in Geneva this week for the 79th World Health Assembly, focused on transforming global health. Health Minister Kevin Bernard is representing Belize and used the platform to push again for Taiwan’s inclusion as an observer. Belize also joined ten other countries in backing a proposal to add the issue to the agenda, but it didn’t pass. Meanwhile, delegates are tackling urgent threats, including hantavirus and the growing Ebola crisis, while global health leaders stressed the need for stronger collaboration.

 

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

“Early on Sunday, I declared a public health emergency of international concerns over an epidemic of Ebola disease in the Republic of Congo and Uganda.  This is the first time a director-general has declared a FIC before convening an emergency committee. I did not do this lightly. I did this in accordance with article twelve of the international health regulations after consulting the ministers of health of both countries  and because I’m deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic. We will convene the emergency committee today to advise us on. The outbreak of Ebola and Hantavirus in the past two weeks show why international threats need an international response. They show why the world needs the international health regulations and why the world needs WHO. Despite the  challenges we face, of course there were many achievements to celebrate. The WHO results report contains a comprehensive and interactive accounts of those achievements. With scorecards and country stories that demonstrate our impact on the ground. I urge you to use it.”

 

The Assembly wraps up May twenty-third, with leaders focused on strengthening health systems, expanding universal care, tackling climate-related risks, and improving pandemic readiness.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: