Members of the World Health Organization have reached a compromise on changes to the rules governing how countries respond to the health crisis.
The World Health Assembly (the annual meeting of WHO member countries) has adopted a US-led resolution to set a timeline for the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) to take effect. The resolution was almost shattered after several countries, including the African Group, showed that they had reserved it.
Loyce Pace, Assistant Secretary of Global Affairs for the US Department of Health and Human Services, has previously shown that consensus is needed to move forward. She said the United States is ready to continue discussions after Congress if an agreement cannot be reached.
The IHR will direct how countries report on potential new public health threats and set the role of WHO. However, an assessment of the response to a pandemic shows that it is inadequately regulated and needs to be strengthened.
Under a compromise officially agreed by countries on Friday evening, countries will refuse to amend health regulations in 10 months instead of 9 months, as shown in the previous draft text. increase. What remains in the text is that the rule amendments will take effect within 12 months. This shortens the current timeline by one year.
A new paragraph added to the text refers to another decision made by Congress to see the working group discuss future IHR amendments. The new text also amends this group to “address certain clearly identified issues, issues involving fairness, technology or other developments, or gaps that could not otherwise be effectively addressed”. It states that it will consider.
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