PM Suggests For Strengthening And Reforming WHO
The Prime Minister addressed the 2nd Global COVID Virtual Summit. During this the Prime Minister has underlined the need for reforms in institutions.
The summit was co-hosted by the United States.
The conference was organized with the theme ‘Preventing Pandemic Fatigue and Prioritizing Preparedness’.
First Global Covid-19 Summit-
- It was held in September 2021.
- The summit underscored the need for reforms to make the global health protection infrastructure more resilient.
The following major improvements have been highlighted:
- The World Trade Organization (WTO) rules relating to the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) should be made flexible.
- Streamline the WHO approval process for vaccines and treatments. This will help in maintaining and predicting the supply chain.
- Changes and reforms should be made in the funding and governance system of the World Health Organization. Also, transparency should be brought in the use of its funds.
- The regular budget of WHO should also be increased. This would allow core activities to be funded from its budget itself, without putting a heavy financial burden on developing countries.
- To prepare ‘objective criteria’ with clear criteria for declaring a “public health emergency of international concern: PHEIC”.
Main functions of WHO
- Provide leadership in matters that are essential to health and promote participation where joint action is needed.
- Shaping the research agenda and promoting the translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge.
- Establishing norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation.
- Clarifying ethical and evidence-based policy options.
- Providing technical support and catalyzing change and building sustainable institutional capacity.
- Monitoring health status and assessing health trends.
Source – The Hindu
