International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

Sunday 27 December, 2020, has been designated the first International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.

Transcript

Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: It’s hard to believe that only a year ago covet 19 was still completely unknown to us in the past 12 months our world has been turned upside down the impacts of the pandemic go far beyond the disease itself with far-reaching consequences for societies and economies but none of this should come at a surprise.

Over the years there have been many reports reviews and recommendations all saying the same thing the world is not prepared for a pandemic we must all learn the lessons the pandemic is teaching us.

First all countries must invest in preparedness capacities to prevent detect and mitigate emergencies of all kinds whether they be natural occurring epidemics or deliberate events.

Strong primary health care is specially important at the foundation of universal health coverage and at the eyes and ears of every health system. Second true preparedness is not just a job of the health sector it requires an all of government and all of society approach;

and third the pandemic has highlighted the intimate links between the health of humans animals and planet which we can only address with a one health approach any efforts to improve human health are doomed unless they address the critical interface between humans and animals and the existential threats of climate change that’s making our earth less habitable history tells us that this will not be the last pandemic and epidemics are a fact of life but with investments in public health supported by an all of government all of society one health approach we can ensure that our children and their children inherit a safer more resilient and more sustainable world i thank you you.