Thread by @alexandraphelan

Weekend Reading?

🌎New Publication🌏
The first in the ILIAID Consortium White Paper series on IHR Reform:

"Reforming the Declaration Power for Global Health Emergencies" by @clarewenham @alexandraphelan @MarkRTurner Sam Halabi.

Available here: georgetown.box.com/s/w0u7k6dwb740…

(1/7)

Why did we write this? In light of COVID19, suggestions to reform the mechanism for declaring a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) have gained renewed attention & political will. Any substantial reform of PHEICs will likely require amendment to the IHR (2/7)

Already, multiple international and regional processes to review global COVID-19 response, including the operation of the IHR, are underway, including @TheIndPanel, @WHO Health Emergency Program IOAC & the IHR Review Committee.
(3/7)

This White Paper examines issues that have arisen with the current declaration process, including the rationale for the PHEIC declaration power and the sometimes-misunderstood legal basis for declaring PHEICs.
(4/7)

We identify tensions inherent to the PHEIC declaration to preempt similar issues that may arise with proposed reforms, including:
– a regional level declaration
– traffic-light system
– revised criteria
– making "pandemic" declarations.
(5/7)

But just reforming PHEICs may not address (& replicate) existing issues with the process.

We propose areas for IHR reform:
– transparency
– equity
– evidence repository
– response guidance
– funding mechanism
– reinforcing norms
for better global health security.
(6/7)

We look forward to sharing the full White Paper series & working with more colleagues over the coming months.

More information about the International Law and Infectious Disease (ILIAID) Consortium can be found here (with a new website launch soon)
(7/7)
ghss.georgetown.edu/iliaid/