Vaccine Inequity Triggers 'huge Disconnect' Between Countries: WHO
Faizan Hashmi Published May 18, 2021 | 12:00 AM
UNITED NATIONS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th May, 2021 ) :Although coronavirus cases and deaths continue to decline globally for a second consecutive week, the UN health agency chief said Monday that "a huge disconnect" is mounting between some highly vaccinated countries, which see the pandemic as largely resolved, while huge waves of infection continue to grip others where shots are scarce.
"The pandemic is a long way from over, and it will not be over anywhere until it's over everywhere", Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) told journalists once more, at the regular press briefing in Geneva.
Tedros pointed to "dramatic increases" in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, in places where the coronavirus had previously been contained and added that new variants, fragile health systems, relaxed public health measures - and shortages of oxygen, dexamethasone and vaccines - were compounding the problem.
"But there are solutions", he said, urging people to adhere to physical distancing, continue to wear masks and avoid large gatherings. "Even where cases have dropped, genetic sequencing is critical so that variants can be tracked and measures are not eased prematurely".
Although WHO has been responding to the surge in India and other flashpoints, immediate additional funding is required to sustain support in all countries experiencing new waves of cases.
The 2021 response plan is already underfunded, and the vast majority of it is "ring fenced" by donors for specific countries or activities, which is constraining WHO's ability to provide "an adaptable and scalable response in emerging hotspots", Tedros said.
Urgent and flexible funding would allow the UN health agency to scale up support for countries and the ACT Accelerator.? Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) outlined a 190 million dose shortfall in the UN-backed COVAX vaccine initiative for equitable COVID inoculations.
While COVAX has delivered 65 million doses to 124 countries and economies to date, the WHO chief called on manufacturers to publicly commit to sharing their vaccines with COVAX by lifting contractual barriers "within days not months".
He also pressed manufacturers to give the right of first refusal to COVAX on any additional doses and encouraged them to make deals with companies willing to use their facilities to produce COVID-19 vaccines.
"We need to collectively set ambitious goals to at least vaccinate the world's adult population as quickly as possible", Tedros underscored.
Although pandemic lockdowns and telecommuting has led to fewer car journeys and road crashes, the WHO chief pointed to a converse problem caused by drivers' speeding. This has meant the number of deaths had not decreased proportionately.
Kicking off UN Road Safety Week, Tedros asked for national and local policy commitments "to deliver 30 kilometre per hour speed limits in urban areas and generate local support for low speed measures overall".
Addressing the risk of road traffic deaths is also fundamental to achieve the?Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically those affecting health security, sustainable cities and reducing inequalities among and within countries.
And policies that tackle the of impact road traffic, and create environments for safe, sustainable and inclusive transport options, also unlock action for protecting the climate and gender equality.
A paradigm shift in how streets are designed can make streets safe, accessible and equitable for all road users � delivering multiple benefits while accelerating action across interlinking SDGs, according to WHO.
Approximately 1.35 million people die each year because of road crashes.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has set an ambitious target of halving the global number of deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2020.
Road traffic crashes cost most countries three per cent of their gross domestic product.
More than half of all road traffic deaths are among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Some 93 per cent of global road fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5-29 years.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
6 hours ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
2 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
2 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
2 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
3 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
5 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
9 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
9 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
15 days ago