This week, ministers and senior health authorities from the Americas met in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of the 77th World Health Assembly, with the aim of discussing priority health issues, including amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR). A global instrument on epidemic prevention, preparedness and response.
Colombia strengthens primary health care to confront epidemics
Representing Colombia, Colombian Deputy Minister of Health, Jaime Orrego, emphasized the importance of “life before everything” and He explained in detail all the efforts made by the country to implement important health reforms that seek to achieve comprehensive health based on primary care, preventive approaches and intercultural work.
On the other hand, Origo thanked the General Director of the Foundation from To send a mission to support primary health care as a key component of reforming the country’s health system, he stated that his country “is moving forward with immediate and executive measures to ensure greater equity and have a better impact on the social determinants of health.”
Chile faces new challenges after the pandemic
In the face of challenges facing global health, Chile’s Minister of Health, Ximena Aguilera, highlighted that although her country was able to rebuild the capacity of its health system after the COVID-19 pandemic, it still faces delays in health services. he added, “We have improved access to mental health care, including for health care workers, and reduced direct spending through our zero-payment strategy.”
To confront this situation, the Minister welcomed “a consensus-based instrument for epidemic prevention, preparedness and response, based on the principles of equity, solidarity, sovereignty and respect for human rights.” Likewise, Chile hopes to reach consensus on amending the International Health Regulations.
Argentina strengthens international capacity to respond to the pandemic
Silvia Praieri, Chief of Staff of the Argentine Ministry of Health, also participated in this important World Health Assembly, where she emphasized that “Argentina’s priorities have always been to reach an international agreement” and “strengthen global capacities to respond to epidemics.” Promoting technological development and scientific cooperation.”
In turn, he praised his country’s ongoing work on a variety of strategic issues such as: digitizing health systems, strengthening supply chains, combating antimicrobial resistance, and promoting health research and development.
Similarly, Argentina’s Ministry of Health Chief of Staff noted that although the country supports WHO’s mission as the governing and coordinating body on health matters, it has concerns about the process of amending the 2005 International Health Regulations. It is an important step forward by Sustainable commitments for developing countries in particular.
Canada closes the health equity gap
For her part, Canada’s Director of Public Health, Theresa Tam, said: He stated that any meaningful agreement on epidemics must be based on consensus and accepted by all Member States.
As such, Canada remains committed to working together to prevent and reduce the consequences of health emergencies and pandemics; Furthermore, it urges all Member States to support WHO’s work in emergency situations. ““Every person, everywhere should have the best possible standard of care to promote well-being and prosperity.”
Tam, in turn, stressed Canada’s commitment to addressing global health equity and addressing the root causes of disease. For this country, an integrated approach to health service delivery requires the inclusion of nutrition, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and routine vaccination.
Uruguay boosts primary care after pandemic
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Uruguay’s Minister of Health, Carina Rando, put on the table the need for countries to work together to strengthen the global health architecture.
“For Uruguay, the ongoing negotiations to amend the International Health Regulations and reach a new agreement on pandemics represent a historic opportunity for the international community, setting out a legal framework that will allow us to work together to prevent future pandemics and ensure access to affordable medicines, information and technology to enable us to better respond to such EpidemicsRando explained.
Another issue that the Uruguayan Minister highlighted was primary health care as a fundamental issue for the country. “Uruguay is investing heavily in a comprehensive plan to prevent and treat mental health and addiction problems.”
Mexico is learning from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic
“We cannot hope for a better future unless we address the deep inequalities that divide us,” Francisca Elizabeth Méndez Escobar, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations in Geneva, affirmed in the middle of the Assembly. “Inequality undermines health and, in particular, access to Medicines and health products in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost.”
Regarding the position on the amendments to the International Health Regulations and the new legal instrument on epidemics, the Minister noted that it is based on the principles of solidarity and equity, identifying specific opportunities to improve global preparedness, such as strengthening the production capacities of regional and local authorities, processing patents in emergency situations and the effective use of technical cooperation to achieve Greater impact.
The Minister also praised the World Health Organization’s recognition of the need to transform itself to respond to a constantly changing world He called for a renewed commitment to strengthening health systems and achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Timely and equitable access to sanitary ware in Peru
Peru’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ana Cecilia Gervasi, spoke about the devastating consequences of the pandemic, which has exposed underlying health inequalities. “Therefore, Peru has engaged constructively in the process of improving epidemic prevention, preparedness and response, in accordance with the principles of solidarity and equity.”
In this way, the country must continue to work on strengthening national capacities and thus strengthening international cooperation in order to create a more equitable and timely mechanism for access to health tools.
Other countries will participate in the meeting, such as Guatemala, which has worked to increase pandemic preparedness and response capabilities around the world; Cuba, which urgently calls for cooperation in investing in public health: The United States, which recognized the success of international cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic; and Bolivia, which reaffirmed the country’s commitment to working for the comprehensive health and well-being of humanity, emphasizing the importance of equity as a key element to better respond to health emergencies.
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