Thread by @WHO

Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros. pscp.tv/w/cXrmNDI2MTAy…

"Three months ago, I convened the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations, and after receiving their advice, I declared #COVID19 a global health emergency – WHO’s highest level of alarm"-@DrTedros

"Yesterday, I reconvened the Emergency Committee to review the evolution of the #COVID19 pandemic and advise me accordingly.

The committee consists of independent, international experts, representing all regions and the full range of relevant expertise"-@DrTedros

🚨 "Of course, the #COVID19 pandemic remains a public health emergency of international concern"-@DrTedros

The Emergency Committee on #COVID19 unanimously agreed that the outbreak still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

"I would like to make a few remarks about the committee’s advice for WHO.

We appreciate the confidence & trust expressed by the committee in WHO to continue to lead & coordinate the global response to the #COVID19 pandemic, in collaboration with countries & partners"-@DrTedros

"WHO will continue supporting all countries with technical and logistical support, especially those that need it most"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We accept the committee’s advice that WHO works to identify the animal source of the #coronavirus through international scientific & collaborative missions, in collaboration with the @OIEAnimalHealth & the @FAO of the @UN"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We will continue supporting countries to sustain essential health services, including vaccination, care for women during pregnancy and childbirth, and care for non-communicable diseases, including mental health conditions"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"As we have done clearly from the beginning, we will continue to call on countries to implement a comprehensive package of measures to find, isolate, test and treat every case, and trace every contact"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We will continue working with countries and partners to enable essential travel needed for pandemic response, humanitarian relief and cargo operations, and for countries to gradually resume normal passenger travel"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"As Professor Houssin explained, the committee has also made recommendations for countries, and we encourage countries to pay careful attention to that advice"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"We encourage countries to follow WHO’s advice, which we are constantly reviewing and updating as we learn more about the virus, and as we learn more from countries about best practices for responding to it"-@DrTedros #COVID19

"In accordance with the International Health Regulations, I will reconvene the #COVID19 Emergency Committee again in 90 days, or sooner if needed"-@DrTedros

"As you remember, last Friday we joined the @EU_Commission & other partners to launch the ACT Accelerator, to ensure all people enjoy access to all the tools to prevent, detect & treat #COVID19"-@DrTedros

https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1253675702005760001?s=20

"This coming Monday, the @EU_Commission will host a pledging conference to generate funds for investment in vaccine research"-@DrTedros #COVID19

https://twitter.com/DrTedros/status/1256203808692199425?s=20

"Today we are deepening our relationship with the European Union 🇪🇺, by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding with the @EIB.

This agreement covers five main areas of work"-@DrTedros

"1⃣ WHO and @EIB will collaborate on a new EU Malaria Fund, to address market failures in developing more effective vaccines, drugs and diagnostics for #malaria"-@DrTedros #EndMalaria

"Although #malaria deaths have fallen by more than half since the year 2000, progress has stalled in recent years, and may even reverse if the #COVID19 pandemic disrupts malaria control programmes"-@DrTedros #EndMalaria

"Last year, WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group on Malaria Eradication and the Lancet Commission on Malaria Eradication both concluded that we will need new tools if we are to achieve the dream of eradicating malaria"-@DrTedros #EndMalaria

"Both reports called for increased investment in research and development to deliver new tools.

With WHO’s technical expertise and the @EIB’s financial muscle, we are confident of accelerating the development of those new tools"-@DrTedros #EndMalaria

"2⃣ our two organizations will work together to foster the development of new innovative antibacterial treatments.

#AntibioticResistance is one the most urgent health challenges of our time"-@DrTedros

"It threatens to unravel a century of medical progress, and leave us defenceless against infections that were previously easily treated"-@DrTedros #StopDrugResistance

"Investment in antibiotic development has continued to decline. Some small antibiotic companies went bankrupt in 2019 because of the limited profitability of new antibiotics"-@DrTedros #StopDrugResistance

"Very few new antibiotics are in the pipeline. Most of them offer little benefit over existing treatments, and very few target the most critical resistant bacteria"-@DrTedros #StopDrugResistance

"To address this challenge, WHO and @EIB are working on a fund to invest in the development of new antibiotics for priority pathogens.

WHO and EIB now are in discussions with potential investors and other stakeholders on this initiative"-@DrTedros #StopDrugResistance

"3⃣ we will work together to strengthen #PrimaryHealthCare and build resilient health systems.

The #COVID19 crisis has illustrated that even the most sophisticated health systems have struggled to cope with a pandemic"-@DrTedros

"WHO has grave concerns about potential impact #COVID19 could have as it starts to accelerate in countries with weaker health systems. With the @EIB, we will work urgently to invest in health infrastructure & #healthworkers in 10 countries in Africa & the Middle East"-@DrTedros

"4⃣ @EIB and WHO are exploring how the EIB could support the #COVID19 Supply Chain System, to facilitate the distribution of diagnostics, personal protective equipment and other medical supplies to countries that need them most"-@DrTedros

"5⃣ we will work together to study market failures in other areas of public health, to examine how innovative financing could help overcome investment barriers and increase access to lifesaving products and services"-@DrTedros

"The @EIB has rich experience in innovative financing. I learned from my friend, Werner Hoyer, today that the @EIB were pioneers of so-called “green bonds” 30 years ago, to generate funds for climate and environmental projects"-@DrTedros

"We look forward to seeing how that type of innovative financing could deliver real results for global health when WHO is advocating #HealthForAll. All roads should lead to universal health coverage.

WHO is deeply grateful to the @EIB for its support and collaboration"-@DrTedros

The full remarks by @DrTedros 👇 bit.ly/35kOypU