[ad_1]
A collective failure of political leaders to heed warnings and prepare for an infectious disease pandemic has transformed “a world at risk” into a “world in disarray,” according to a report on international preparedness for epidemics.
The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board, an independent body created by the World Health Organization and the World Bank, warns that the world is not dangerously prepared for the next pandemic.
In its annual report, the board says that the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed a collective failure to take pandemic prevention, preparedness and response seriously and prioritize them accordingly.
He adds that the pandemic has demonstrated the fragility of highly interconnected economies and social systems, and the fragility of trust.
Calls for five urgent actions to be taken to bring order to the catastrophe and chaos facing the world today: responsible leadership; committed citizenship; robust and agile health security systems; sustained investment; and strong global governance of preparedness.
In its initial report last year, published a few months before the coronavirus emerged as a threat, the board warned that there was a real threat of “a rapidly spreading pandemic due to a deadly respiratory pathogen” and warned that such an event could kill. millions and wreak havoc on the global economy.
This year’s report, titled A World in Disarray, said that world leaders had never before “been so clearly warned of the dangers of a devastating pandemic” and yet failed to take appropriate action.
“Pathogens thrive on disruption and disorder. Covid-19 has proven the point.”
The board says the staggering cost of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic dwarfs what it would have cost to properly prepare for it.
#AWorldInDisorder makes it clear; the world can’t afford not to be ready for the next #pandemic, which will surely come. https://t.co/4h5bvwlzCw pic.twitter.com/2wa7HIX3Q6
– The Global Readiness Monitoring Board (@TheGPMB) September 14, 2020
The report notes that despite calling a year ago for heads of government to commit and invest in pandemic preparedness, health systems to be strengthened and financial risk planning to take seriously the threat of a devastating pandemic , little progress has been made in any of the aspects. these.
Lack of leadership, he said, is exacerbating the current pandemic.
“Not learning the lessons of Covid-19 or acting accordingly with the necessary resources and commitment will mean that the next pandemic, which is sure to come, will be even more damaging,” he said.
[ad_2]