Esteemed ministers of health and high-ranking health officials from across the Americas convened this week for the 77th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. The primary focus of this gathering was to deliberate on urgent health matters, including amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the formulation of a global instrument aimed at enhancing pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Here are key highlights from their deliberations:
Chile: Addressing Evolving Global Health Challenges Despite successfully rejuvenating its public health system post the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies like forest fires and floods, Chile still grapples with a backlog in healthcare services, stated Ximena Aguilera, Chile’s Minister of Health. Aguilera emphasized Chile’s strides in mental health care accessibility and reduced out-of-pocket expenditures through the implementation of a zero co-pay strategy. On the global front, Chile advocated for a consensus-based pandemic prevention instrument grounded in principles of equity, solidarity, sovereignty, and human rights.
Argentina: Reinforcing Global Pandemic Response Capacities Silvia Prieri, Chief of Staff of Argentina’s Ministry of Health, underscored Argentina’s commitment to fostering international collaboration for bolstering pandemic response capacities and advancing technological development and scientific cooperation. Argentina’s initiatives span digitalizing health systems, fortifying supply chains, combating antimicrobial resistance, and promoting health research and development.
Canada: Bridging Health Equity Disparities Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Theresa Tam, stressed the imperative of a consensus-based pandemic agreement that all member states can endorse. Tam reiterated Canada’s dedication to mitigating health emergencies’ consequences and urged support for WHO’s emergency initiatives. She highlighted Canada’s steadfast commitment to addressing health equity globally, emphasizing an inclusive approach to health service delivery that encompasses nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, routine vaccination, and gender equality.
Uruguay: Seizing a Historic Opportunity Minister of Public Health of Uruguay, Karina Rando, underscored the significance of collective action to fortify the global health architecture. For Uruguay, ongoing negotiations on amending the IHR and crafting a new pandemic agreement present a historic opportunity to establish a legal framework for effective collaboration in pandemic prevention and response. Rando also emphasized Uruguay’s emphasis on primary healthcare and prudent health expenditure, particularly focusing on mental health care amidst the pandemic’s aftermath.
Mexico: Advancing Solidarity and Equity in Health Francisca Elizabeth Mendez Escobar, Mexico’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, underscored the imperative of addressing underlying inequalities to forge a better future. Mexico emphasized the necessity of international cooperation to enhance pandemic preparedness, including strengthening regional and local production capacities and ensuring equitable access to health tools. Mendez Escobar advocated for sustainable commitments, especially for developing countries, and called for WHO’s transformation to meet evolving global health challenges.
Peru: Pursuing Timely and Equitable Health Access Ana Cecilia Gervasi, Peru’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, reiterated Peru’s commitment to fostering equitable access to health tools and bolstering international collaboration for pandemic prevention and response. Gervasi emphasized the importance of consolidating national capacities and advancing a One Health approach to better tackle emerging health threats.
These deliberations underscore the unwavering dedication of ministers and health authorities from the Americas toward forging global health solutions anchored in equity, solidarity, and collaborative action.
