COVID-19 pandemic has taught world that “health is not a luxury item”: WHO chief
The COVID-19 pandemic has taught the world that “health is not a luxury item”, according to the World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom.
Tedros made the remarks in a media briefing on Monday, in which he reiterated the importance of investing in public health, saying “it’s a necessity, and a human right.”
The WHO chief noted that some countries had prepared better ahead of COVID-19 outbreaks within their borders, helping them respond better when the virus hit.
He noted that countries such as Rwanda, Senegal, Mauritius and other select countries across the world had managed their outbreaks better because of their initial preparations.
“In recent years, many countries have made enormous advances in medicine, but too many have neglected their basic public health systems, which are the foundation for responding to infectious disease outbreaks,” said Tedros.
“Part of every country’s commitment to build back better must therefore be to invest in public health, as an investment in a healthier and safer future.”
The WHO Director-General’s remarks came as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally surpassed the 24.16 million mark with a death toll exceeding 889,000, according to figures from the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.
Tedros also urged the world to boost their health preparedness for any possible pandemics in the future.
“This will not be the last pandemic. History teaches us that outbreaks and pandemics are a fact of life. But when the next pandemic comes, the world must be ready – more ready than it was this time,” he said.
