DILI, 29 september 2023 (TATOLI) – The World Health Organization (WHO) discussed with Asian members pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, and ending the TB epidemic by 2030.
At the UNGA this year, three high-level meetings are being held on health issues: pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, and ending the TB epidemic by 2030.
All three are among the eight flagship priority programs that the WHO South-East Asia Region identified in 2014, in discussion with member countries.
“The first-ever high-level meeting on pandemic preparedness is an opportunity for world leaders to forge a common path forward to prevent a repeat of the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic,’’ an official WHO’s press release said.
The focus on universal health coverage is critical, as the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that the health and well-being of all people are the foundation of prosperous, equitable, and sustainable societies and economies.
“We need to focus on accelerating efforts to ensure that everyone everywhere receives good-quality health services, when and where needed, without incurring financial hardship,” a press release outlined.
The third health issue—identifying gaps and solutions to accelerate progress towards ending the TB epidemic by 2030 and ensuring equitable access to prevention, testing, treatment, and care—is most relevant to the WHO Southeast Asia Region in view of its disproportionate burden of TB cases and deaths.
As flagship priorities, these programs have been receiving focused attention and action. Much has been done. Much more is needed. New solutions are necessary for countries to deliver health for all in order to make progress on their broader agenda for sustainable development.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that global actors in the multilateral system, working differently and collaborating more robustly, can achieve ambitious goals and establish a pivot point for global health.
These high-level meetings are opportunities to recommit to these key priorities, collaborate, explore innovative ways of overcoming challenges, and provide impetus to existing efforts.
It is recalled that WHO’s Southeast Asia Region comprises the following 11 member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.
Journalist: José Belarmino de Sá
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
