Populism, nationalism, misinformation fueling pandemic: WHO
Geneva: The head of the World Health Organisation has criticised those spreading misinformation and disinformation, saying it is undermining science and driving vaccine hesitancy.
Looking back at the two years since the pandemic began, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the WHO said: “Populism, narrow nationalism, and hoarding of health tools, including masks, therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines, by a small number of countries undermined equity, and created the ideal conditions for the emergence of new variants.”
In 2020, there were 1.8 million virus deaths recorded, followed by 3.5 million in 2021, but Tedros said the real number should be much higher than reported. Additionally, millions of people are dealing with long-term consequences from the virus.
“Misinformation and disinformation, often spread by a small number of people, have been a constant distraction, undermining science and trust in lifesaving health tools,” Dr Tedros said.
“In the huge waves of cases currently seen in Europe and in many countries around the world, misinformation, which has driven vaccine hesitancy, is now translating to
the unvaccinated disproportionally dying.”
‘2022 can mark the end of COVID’s acute stage’
Dr Tedros is staying optimistic that the acute stage of the pandemic can end in 2022.
“Building on the successes and failures, we must not only share vaccines faster and more equitably with COVAX and AVAT, we must support countries in manufacturing
and rolling them out to everyone. And access to new treatments must also follow,” he said.
He warned that the virus will continue to evolve and will threaten health systems if the collective response is not improved.
“I am highly concerned that Omicron, being more transmissible, circulating at the same time as Delta, is leading to a tsunami of cases.”
On vaccine equity in the year ahead, Dr Tedros urged the leaders
of governments, industry, and civil society to ensure consistent supply and help people get vaccinations.
He noted that vaccine supply is improving, but said booster drives in rich countries could cause lowincome countries to go short again.
Looking at 2022, he said the WHO will work with member states to “build well-financed health systems, strengthen preparedness, and ensure the equitable distribution of health tools”.