WMA urges govts to move beyond political declarations to secure global health security

President of the World Medical Association, (WMA), Dr Osahon Enabulele, has stressed the need for global health security through the building of more resilient health systems and health workforce.

The President also called on political leaders and governments worldwide to move beyond non-binding political declarations to real commitments through visible and practical actions.

Enabulele spoke on Thursday while delivering the opening remarks at the scientific session of the 74th General Assembly of the World Medical Association, jointly organised by the Rwanda Medical Association and the World Medical Association in Kigali.

President of the World Medical Association, (WMA), Dr Osahon Enabulele having an interview with the journalists.

He noted that global health security became necessary following the spread of new, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, the impact of globalised trade and travel, including cross-border movements of animals, the health impact of climate change, and the rising trend of antimicrobial resistance.

Enabulele said: “Global Health Security entails building resilient health systems with an integrated robust physician-led multi-disciplinary primary health care system, and an effective diagnostic and surveillance capacity.”

He further explained that it also involves building resilient health systems that are inclusive, adaptive, efficient, effective, and meet present expectations and address current and future challenges such as weak health systems, brain drain and burn-out of physicians as well as other health professionals, Antimicrobial resistance, and Climate change.

He said: “Importantly, Global health security entails expanding universal access to care and building a resilient health workforce that is highly resourced, healthy and motivated, with decent, safe and enabling working conditions.

“It therefore requires sustained investments in all the building blocks of the health system, including health infrastructure, medicines, diagnostics, vaccines, health management information and surveillance systems”

He also added that good governance and the right political commitment to the health and well-being of citizens were required to achieve global health security.

Enabulele who also appreciated efforts at developing a post-COVID-19 Pandemic treaty and the recently endorsed political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, called on political leaders and governments across the world to move beyond mere non-binding political declarations to real commitments through visible and practical actions by governments.

PM