Pandemic preparedness and response, equity among key topics for the Americas at Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly – PAHO/WHO

Geneva, Switzerland, June 1, 2024 (PAHO) – Taking advantage of lessons learned from COVID-19, countries in the Americas firmly engaged in decisions to better prepare against current and future health challenges, including pandemics, climate change and rising antibiotic resistance, and to promote universal health coverage at the world health meeting.

The 77th World Health Assembly brought together Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland from 27 May to 1 June 2024 to discuss global health priorities. The main ones were the negotiations for an international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR).

Countries agreed on a package of amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) and made concrete commitments to complete negotiations on a global agreement on pandemics within one year at the latest.

The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, welcomed these decisions. «The IHR provides the platform where countries come together to identify early threats and provide better responses to outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics,» he said.

He also welcomed the decision to continue negotiations on a pandemic agreement as it “recognizes the achievements made so far in these two years of discussions” and provides a path for countries to build consensus towards an instrument that “will leave the world much better prepared to face the pandemic.” respond to a potential pandemic and address some of the critical issues we experienced during COVID-19.”

Countries in the Americas also endorsed resolutions calling for urgent measures to address cross-cutting challenges and promote health for all.

A landmark resolution on health and climate change was adopted, underscoring the interdependence of environmental sustainability and public health. Countries also endorsed an important document to strengthen health emergency preparedness for natural hazards, such as earthquakes, floods, storms and forest fires. As climate-related extreme weather events increase in frequency and intensity, health systems must advance strategies to protect populations.

The Assembly committed to accelerate national and global responses to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), ahead of the second High-Level Meeting (HLM) of the United Nations General Assembly on AMR in September 2024. It is estimated that 1.3 million global deaths per year are attributable to drug resistance. bacterial infections.

Alarmed by stagnating progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality, countries passed a resolution to increase preventive services at primary health care levels. The document also calls for the expansion of urgent obstetric care and small and sick newborn units, which are essential for managing complications associated with prematurity and other leading causes of newborn deaths. In Latin America and the Caribbean, almost 8,400 women die each year due to pregnancy-related complications.

“To recover and accelerate the achievement of universal health coverage goals by 2030, investment is required in the expansion of all essential health services, especially those for NCDs and maternal health, where minimal progress is seen,” said the Dr. Barbosa to the Member States. during a debate to promote universal health coverage.

During the meeting, the first resolution on social participation in primary health care was approved, paving the way for individuals, communities and civil society to have a stronger voice in decisions that affect their health and well-being.

The 77th World Health Assembly also approved WHO’s Fourteenth General Program of Work (GPW 14), a four-year strategy to build resilient and future-ready health systems.