Africa objects to U.S. push to reform health rules at WHO assembly

Geneva, May 24 (Reuters)-African countries challenged US-led proposals to reform the International Health Regulations (IHR) on Tuesday, delegations block passage at the World Health Organization’s annual meeting Say it might be.

If Africa continues to withhold support, it could thwart one of the only concrete reforms expected at the conference, with members united in reforms to strengthen the rules of the United Nations Health Organization and the world. We look forward to exploring a central role in health policy.read more

IHR has established legally binding obligations for WHO members regarding outbreaks. The United States has proposed 13 IHR reforms aimed at approving the placement of a team of experts on contaminated sites and the establishment of a new compliance committee to monitor the implementation of the rule.read more

The proposed proposal, which has not yet been officially decided, is regarded as the first step in the broader IHR reform process, aiming to change Article 59, which shortens the implementation of future reforms from 24 months to 12 months. I am.

However, the African group said it reserved, saying that even with this narrow change, all reforms should be worked on together as part of the “overall package” at a later stage.

Moses Keetile, Deputy Secretary of Health for the Ministry of Health in Botswana, told Congress on Tuesday on behalf of the African region.

Diplomats said Africa’s opposition could be a strategy to seek concessions on vaccine and drug sharing from wealthy countries that appeared to be storing supplies during COVID-19.

“They are moving too fast and cannot rush this kind of reform,” said the African representative of Geneva, who is not allowed to interact with the media.

The US mission in Geneva did not respond to requests for comment.

Several other countries have expressed broad support for the idea of ​​IHR reform without giving details. Iran and Malaysia have also announced reservations.

After the discussion, one diplomat said, “They disagree, but it’s not a disaster. It’s a multilateral process, so you can’t force things.”

Negotiations run in parallel with negotiations on potential pandemic treaties, raising concerns about duplication. Herring Rama Krishnan, a third world network consultant, said:

Russia has also submitted a revision since the US IHR proposal, according to diplomats. The parliament is expected to formally initiate discussions on IHR reform, which can last up to two years.

Additional report by Mrinalika Roy of Bangalore.Edited by David Gregorio

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