Global health summit plans for future pandemics

The just ended Global Health Summit, comprising of the G20 invited leaders, head of international and regional health organizations, and representatives of the global health bodies, have come up with 10 recommendations to prevent future pandemics.

Twenty-six senior scientists from all over the world, experienced in local and global Covid-19 response converged to also offer advice to policy at the highest levels.

The goal was to create a ‘Rome Declaration’ including principles which can be a powerful guide for medium to long-term structural change brought about through international cooperation joint action to prevent future health crises.

Participants brought broad and diverse experiences obtained from different countries and regions.

They all shared lessons learned from the Covid-pandemic and came up with the 10 recommendations on the way forward.

They recommened that countries should ensure equitable access to medical tools to fight Covid, while they also actively and genuinely involve research groups in low-and middle income countries.

They are also recommended that countries invest in scientific research and development before, during and in between health crisis, to ensure that there is a bit of stability while fighting a pandemic.

They believe that countries should also strengthen integrated disease, surveillance data collection, analysis and sharing at all levels during the times of a pandemic, as well as to strengthen and protect science advice.

Countries have also been urged to invest in systems and workforce preparedness and response for the purposes of dealing with a pandemic. Furthermore, they should strengthen regional manufacturing capacities and hubs.

Other recommendations include addressing the problem at the root, strengthening relevant governance structures and leadership, and ensure adequate financing, as well as empower and earn trust of people.