WHO, World Bank launch global health monitoring mechanism

The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank Group has launched a new mechanism that intends to strengthen global health security through monitoring and regular reporting of preparedness to tackle outbreaks, pandemics, and other emergencies with health consequences.

The new monitoring board is established in response to the recommendation by UN Secretary-General’s Global Health Crises Task Force. The Board’s Secretariat will be housed at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board was created on the margins of the 71st Session of the World Health Assembly on 24th May, led by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim. The board will report annually on adequacy of financing, progress on relevant research and development, and the strength of health crisis preparedness at the global, regional and national levels.

Based on the report, the Board will advocate for health crisis preparedness. It aims to ensure that all stakeholders keep these issues on the political agenda and are held accountable for making nations better prepared to respond to outbreaks and emergencies with health consequences.

Further, the Board will be co-chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former WHO Director-General, and Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It will include political leaders, heads of UN agencies and world-class health experts, serving in their individual, independent capacities.

“The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a stark reminder that outbreaks can happen anywhere, at any time,” said Tedros. “Part of being prepared is having a means of assessing progress made at all levels, by all actors, identifying gaps, including in financing, and making sure all actors are working together, pulling in the same direction.” he added.

“For too long, we have allowed a cycle of panic and neglect when it comes to pandemics: we ramp up efforts when there’s a serious threat, then quickly forget about them when the threat subsides,” Dr. Kim said. “With the GPMB, we’re taking a large step towards breaking that cycle. The GPMB will help save lives, prevent economic damage, and ensure that we keep pandemic preparedness at the top of the global agenda.”

“Pandemic preparedness must be as much local as global, and we must meaningfully engage local communities in preparedness, detection, response and recovery to disease outbreaks.” said Sy.

Board co-chair Dr Brundtland added, “The Board will monitor preparedness activities on a global scale, and will hold all actors, from private and public sectors, accountable for building essential public health capacities, generating sustainable financing and ensuring that necessary research and development is conducted.”

COMMENT NOW