IHR Emergency Committee urges focus on effective Covid-19 measures
The committee has provided concrete and targeted advice for WHO and countries to focus on in the coming months
The Emergency Committee of International Health Regulations (IHR) met on 29 October where they advised to put focus on Covid-19 response efforts based on lessons learned and strong science.
The committee has made the suggestion after reviewing the Covid-19 situation and progress made on the temporary recommendations at the meeting, said a press release.
The committee has provided concrete and targeted advice for WHO and countries to focus on in the coming months.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
It has emphasized the importance of evidence-informed, risk-based and coherent measures in relation to international traffic, surveillance and contract tracing efforts, maintaining essential health services including mental health services, and preparing plans for future Covid-19 vaccines.
Moreover, it has urged countries to avoid politicization of the pandemic response, seen as a major detriment to global efforts.
Welcoming the committee advice, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "The World Health Organization (WHO) will continue to work in partnership across the world to drive science, solutions and solidarity."
WHO's leadership and activities throughout its global Covid-19response, including its critical role in developing evidence-based guidance, providing countries with technical assistance and critical supplies and equipment, communicating clear information and addressing misinformation, and convening the Solidarity Trials and the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, were appreciated at the meeting.
As the committee convened for the fifth time, global reported cases had reached 44 million, with over 1.1 million people having lost their lives to Covid-19.
