By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey, GNA
Accra, May 5, GNA – The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR) has called for urgent global measures to strengthen systems for preventing and responding to future pandemics.
The Panel said the world remained insufficiently prepared for future health emergencies, warning that inaction on prevention and preparedness undermines global health security.
Madam Helen Clark, Co-Chair of the Panel and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, said in a statement ahead of the World Health Assembly in May that operational details of the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) Annex could not be finalised for adoption.
The Panel, co-chaired by Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia, and Ms Clark, was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 to provide evidence-based recommendations on pandemic preparedness and response.
The PABS Annex forms part of the WHO Pandemic Agreement and is intended to facilitate the rapid sharing of pathogens and genetic sequence data, as well as equitable access to vaccines and diagnostics.
Ms. Clark called on member states to intensify efforts to implement the amended International Health Regulations, which are already in force.
She said countries should strengthen their capacity to detect and report outbreaks with potential international impact and update national preparedness plans based on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Clark also urged the adoption of a “One Health” approach linking human, animal and environmental health systems, supported by regular simulation exercises.
“The text of the Pandemic Agreement stresses co-ordination and stronger regional collaboration to build resilience, one country’s health security is only as strong as that of its neighbour,” she noted.
On financing, Ms. Clark described pandemic preparedness and response as a global public good, but said funding remained inadequate.
She said many low and middle-income countries face fiscal constraints due to high debt burdens, reduced development assistance, and external pressures including geopolitical tensions and trade disruptions.
“New international finance is essential and is an investment which would pay off in millions of lives saved and trillions of dollars protected,” she said.
Ms. Clark urged global leaders to use the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response to address gaps in coordination, financing, equity, and accountability.
She said finalisation of the PABS Annex remained critical to advancing the Pandemic Agreement and strengthening global protection against future health emergencies.
“While leaders grapple with immediate challenges, they cannot afford to neglect foreseeable risks,” she said.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Linda Naa Deide AryeeteyÂ
[email protected]Â