In his end-of-year message, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the urgent need for worldwide readiness in the face of potential future pandemics. Describing 2023 as a turning point after three years of dealing with the Covid crisis, he emphasised the immense and avoidable suffering experienced globally.
Tedros called for increased relief efforts in the Gaza Strip and urged countries to collaborate on a "monumental" pandemic accord to address preparedness gaps, which were exposed during the Covid pandemic. He emphasised that 2024 provides a unique opportunity to bridge these gaps through a concerted effort in global collaboration, cooperation, and equity.
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The WHO director-general also shared positive news, announcing that Azerbaijan, Belize, and Tajikistan have been declared malaria-free. However, he expressed concerns about the health impacts of climate change, a significant focus at COP28.
Tedros addressed the tragic events in the Gaza Strip, condemning the "barbaric" Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent devastating attack on Gaza. He highlighted the urgent need for relief efforts to meet the substantial needs of the people in Gaza, warning about the potential resurgence of cholera, with over 40 outbreaks reported globally.
Despite the challenges faced in 2023, Tedros concluded on a hopeful note, stating that a pandemic accord is in the works to address the gaps in global collaboration and ensure a more equitable response to health crises in the future.