(VOVWORLD) -Countries risk missing a May deadline for accepting a legally binding treaty on fighting pandemics, which would be a big blow for future generations, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros said Monday.
 A child was taken COVID-19 test sample in Richmond, Virginia (USA). (File photo: Getty Images/VNA) |
During his address at the recent WHO meeting in Geneva, the WHO chief expressed concern that states may not meet that commitment and said there are several other outstanding issues that need to be resolved.
The WHO says 7 million people had succumbed to COVID-19 by the end of 2023. Despite a significant decrease in COVID-related deaths since the peak, approximately 10,000 deaths due to the disease still occur each month worldwide.
The Panel for a Global Public Health Convention previously called for the creation of a new pandemic treaty centered on principles of solidarity, transparency, accountability, and fairness. This treaty would supplement and amend existing International Health Regulations, ultimately helping countries improve pandemic control and establish effective responses to future pandemics.