New Delhi, In a historic achievement in the global health security agenda, the 77th World Health Assembly agreed on a package of amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) based on 300 proposals made by Member States following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The targeted amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) aim to improve countries' ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC) and pandemic emergencies (PE), an official statement said. Is.
This includes provisions to facilitate equitable access to relevant health products during PHEIC and PE, as well as to mobilize financial resources to support developing countries in building, strengthening and maintaining core capacities required under the IHR (2005).
Health Ministry Secretary Apoorva Chandra said an "incredible milestone" had been achieved with the "amendment to the International Health Regulations".
He said, “This is another step towards building an umbrella of equality and solidarity that will help protect the world from the dangers of future pandemics.“This is a gift to our children and grandchildren.”
The statement said the Working Group on International Health Regulations (WGIHR) and the intergovernmental negotiating body on the pandemic treaty with country representation began the negotiation process in two separate groups about two years ago and met several times, including Several sessions resumed on this issue. ,
It said the processes saw several close calls with deadlock over the positions taken by various stakeholders.
To finalize the package of amendments to the IHR, a proposal in the form of a white paper was put forward by Apoorva Chandra, Chairman of Committee A of the World Health Assembly, on May 28, 2024.
It is proposed to establish a single drafting group to consider related matters, co-chaired respectively by a Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) and the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (WGIHR). Will be done by the member.Some of the most important agenda items – proposed amendments to the IHR (2005), followed by consideration of procedural matters related to the INB negotiations on the Epidemic Treaty.
The Single Drafting Group thus established, together with the WHO Secretariat and Member State representatives, accomplished through hard work and determination the task of bringing about consensus in the ongoing IHR amendments during the duration of the 77th Assembly session.
India has played a constructive role in the creation of this instrument, which seeks to implement the equity required for an equitable response to public health emergencies by developing countries.
As a result, the resolution to amend the IHR (2005) was adopted unanimously at the 77th World Health Assembly on June 1, 2024, the statement said.
It said that the said proposal was unanimously approved by all the member countries.
The targeted amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) aim to improve countries' ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC) and pandemic emergencies (PE), an official statement said. Is.
This includes provisions to facilitate equitable access to relevant health products during PHEIC and PE, as well as to mobilize financial resources to support developing countries in building, strengthening and maintaining core capacities required under the IHR (2005).
Health Ministry Secretary Apoorva Chandra said an "incredible milestone" had been achieved with the "amendment to the International Health Regulations".
He said, “This is another step towards building an umbrella of equality and solidarity that will help protect the world from the dangers of future pandemics.“This is a gift to our children and grandchildren.”
The statement said the Working Group on International Health Regulations (WGIHR) and the intergovernmental negotiating body on the pandemic treaty with country representation began the negotiation process in two separate groups about two years ago and met several times, including Several sessions resumed on this issue. ,
It said the processes saw several close calls with deadlock over the positions taken by various stakeholders.
To finalize the package of amendments to the IHR, a proposal in the form of a white paper was put forward by Apoorva Chandra, Chairman of Committee A of the World Health Assembly, on May 28, 2024.
It is proposed to establish a single drafting group to consider related matters, co-chaired respectively by a Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) and the Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (WGIHR). Will be done by the member.Some of the most important agenda items – proposed amendments to the IHR (2005), followed by consideration of procedural matters related to the INB negotiations on the Epidemic Treaty.
The Single Drafting Group thus established, together with the WHO Secretariat and Member State representatives, accomplished through hard work and determination the task of bringing about consensus in the ongoing IHR amendments during the duration of the 77th Assembly session.
India has played a constructive role in the creation of this instrument, which seeks to implement the equity required for an equitable response to public health emergencies by developing countries.
As a result, the resolution to amend the IHR (2005) was adopted unanimously at the 77th World Health Assembly on June 1, 2024, the statement said.
It said that the said proposal was unanimously approved by all the member countries.
