India has hailed the amendments aimed at enhancing the global response to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern and Pandemic Emergencies at the 77th World Health Assembly held recently. It was based on 300 proposals made by member countries after the Covid-19 pandemic.
These amendments include provisions to facilitate equitable access to essential health products during health crises and the mobilization of financial resources to support developing countries in building, strengthening, and maintaining the core capacities mandated by the International Health Regulations (IHR).
India played a pivotal role in the development of this instrument, advocating for operationalizing equity to ensure a fair and effective response by developing countries to Public Health Emergencies.
Apurva Chandra, Union Health Secretary and Chair of Committee A at the World Health Assembly (WHA), emphasized, "This is a step towards equity and the creation of an umbrella of solidarity that will help protect the world from future pandemic threats." The Working group on International Health Regulations (WGIHR) and Intergovernmental Negotiating Body on Pandemic treaty with country representations began the negotiation process in two separate groups almost two years ago and met a number of times, including many resumed sessions on the issue, the statement said. The processes witnessed a number of close calls with seeming deadlocks over positions taken by the various stakeholders, it added.