How COVID-19 is reshaping priorities for both domestic resources and development assistance in the health sector

How COVID-19 is reshaping priorities for both domestic resources and development assistance in the health sector

"The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the world, reshaping the global health landscape and sparking an economic crisis deeper than anything seen since the great depression. The pandemic has plainly shown the interdependence of health security and economic security. While health security - reducing the vulnerability of societies to pandemics like COVID-19 - is a distinct goal, it is interlinked with efforts to move towards universal health coverage (UHC). Neither UHC nor health security can be achieved without the foundation of common goods for health, produced through strong and resilient health systems." (Photo: USAFRICOM/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

"Global health” is wasting the corona moment

"My assessmentof the current corona moment and how global health, so far,fails toseize it. See also the intro of this week. Our “global health financing toolbox”still seems, by and large, stuck in the neoliberal/Third Way MDG era. Anybody who believes that will suffice to deal with the challenges of the 21stcentury (not the leastthe climate emergency & widespread populism) can raise his/her hands. PS: that would include the fansof ‘Team Europe’." (Photo: Trinity Care Foundation/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Joint questionnaire on COVID-19 and human rights

Joint questionnaire on COVID-19 and human rights

"Several Special Procedure mandate holders will focus their forthcoming thematic reports to the United Nations Human Rights Council or the General Assembly on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the enjoyment of human rights. The questionnaire is meant to assist the human rights experts to obtain information and elaborate comprehensive recommendations on the measures taken by national, federal and local governments to protect their population and ensure the enjoyment of human rights, including particular groups at risk of discrimination or social exclusion (...)." (Photo: UN Geneva/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Using socioeconomics to counter health disparities arising from the covid-19 pandemic

"Principles and methods drawn from decades of work showing that lower socioeconomic status is associated with poorer health should guide efforts to monitor and mitigate the impact of the covid-19 pandemic argue Geoffrey Anderson and colleagues." (Photo: USAID U.S. Agency for International Development/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

What a US exit from the WHO means for COVID-19 and global health

What a US exit from the WHO means for COVID-19 and global health

"As President Trump terminates the US relationship with the agency, experts foresee incoherence, inefficiency and a resurgence of deadly diseases. - US President Donald Trump has announced that he is “terminating” the country’s relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO), and that the United States will redirect funds intended for the agency to other global-health projects. During the announcement at a news briefing on 29 May, Trump reiterated accusations that the WHO is too lenient with China." (Photo: UN Geneva/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

WHO Manifesto for a healthy recovery from COVID-19

WHO Manifesto for a healthy recovery from COVID-19

"The pandemic is a reminder of the intimate and delicate relationship between people and planet. Any efforts to make our world safer are doomed to fail unless they address the critical interface between people and pathogens, and the existential threat of climate change, that is making our Earth less habitable." WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Address to the 73rd World Health Assembly. May 18th 2020." (Photo: United States Mission Geneva/flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

WHO Foundation Established to Support Critical Global Health Needs

WHO Foundation Established to Support Critical Global Health Needs

"The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the creation of the WHO Foundation, an independent grant-making entity, that will support the Organization’s efforts to address the most pressing global health challenges." (Photo: United States Mission Geneva/flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

US To ‘Terminate Relationship’ With The World Health Organization – Announcement Coincides With WHO Launch Of ‘COVID-19 Technology Access Pool’

US To ‘Terminate Relationship’ With The World Health Organization – Announcement Coincides With WHO Launch Of ‘COVID-19 Technology Access Pool’

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday he was terminating the US’ relationship with the World Health Organization. "Trump’s declaration came hours after WHO’s celebratory launch of a new ‘Solidarity Call to Action ,’ urging countries to make patents and data for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines freely available as ‘global public goods.’ Some 37 countries have supported the call." (Photo: Prachatai/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

COVID-19 and HIV: Adapting community-based HIV services during a pandemic

"The International AIDS Society (IAS) is organizing a series of webinars on the topic of COVID-19 and HIV to discuss the pandemic and its impact on people living with HIV. Through these webinar sessions, the IAS would like to provide an opportunity for discussion around the latest science, in addition to sharing learning and best practices in relation to COVID-19 and HIV between countries at different stages of the pandemic, especially in lower- and middle-income countries. The webinars are recommended to HIV professionals, government representatives working in the field of HIV, public health specialists, programme managers, service providers, civil society representatives and members of organizations supporting key and vulnerable populations." (Photo: IAS)

COVID-19 Has ‘Severely’ Disrupted Chronic Disease Care, WHO Warns

A new survey by WHO has found that the COVID-19 pandemic has ‘severely’ disrupted the delivery of services to prevent and treat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in almost 80% of countries surveyed – or 122 out of 150 countries. This is of “significant concern” WHO said on Monday in a statement, because people with NCDs also are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and death. And even prior to the pandemic, some three quarters of all deaths worldwide were due to NCDs. (Photo: World Bank Photo Collection/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

COVID-19 Has ‘Severely’ Disrupted Chronic Disease Care, WHO Warns

COVID-19 Has ‘Severely’ Disrupted Chronic Disease Care, WHO Warns

A new survey by WHO has found that the COVID-19 pandemic has ‘severely’ disrupted the delivery of services to prevent and treat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in almost 80% of countries surveyed – or 122 out of 150 countries. This is of “significant concern” WHO said on Monday in a statement, because people with NCDs also are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and death. And even prior to the pandemic, some three quarters of all deaths worldwide were due to NCDs. (Photo: World Bank Photo Collection/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Countries pass up opportunity for a binding mechanism to ensure equitable access to meds

Countries pass up opportunity for a binding mechanism to ensure equitable access to meds

"Member states of World Health Organization are letting go of an opportunity to enforce binding mechanisms on sharing and pooling technology related to fighting COVID19 that would ensure equitable, affordable access to medicines, diagnostics and technologies. At the best of times, treaty-making is an uphill task, if not impossible, amongst more than 190 countries, but the pandemic could have been the imperative for countries to come together to challenge the status quo on the contentious and high-stakes game of access of medicines." By Priti Patnaik. (Photo: Jernej Furman/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Living with COVID-19: Time to get our act  together on health emergencies and UHC

Living with COVID-19: Time to get our act together on health emergencies and UHC

"The COVID-19 pandemic has substantial health, social and economic impacts, in all countries, rich and poor. We will be living with COVID-19 and its consequences for a long time to come. It is a global crisis requiring sustained international solidarity and action. (...) COVID-19 is raising questions: where to start thinking differently, and what to start doing differently, to be better prepared for emergencies as well as make progress on UHC? Do new opportunities exist to make such changes?" (Photo: World Bank Photo Collection/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

New Guidance Helps Governments Estimate True Extent Of COVID-19 Pandemic

New Guidance Helps Governments Estimate True Extent Of COVID-19 Pandemic

"New technical guidance for national governments was released to support the enhanced measurement of two key indicators for the COVID-19 response; the number of cases and the number of deaths, as reported on national and global dashboards. The package was launched by global health NGO Vital Strategies." (Photo: DFID - UK Department for International Development /flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Not a luxury: a call to maintain sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian and fragile settings during the COVID-19 pandemic

Not a luxury: a call to maintain sexual and reproductive health in humanitarian and fragile settings during the COVID-19 pandemic

"About 1·8 billion people live in fragile contexts worldwide, including 168 million individuals in need of humanitarian assistance. Approximately a quarter of those in fragile contexts are women and girls of reproductive age. Experience from past epidemics in these settings has showed that discontinuing health-care services deemed unrelated to the epidemic response resulted in more deaths than did the epidemic itself. Issues related to sexual and reproductive health are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among women of childbearing age, with countries affected by fragility and crisis accounting for 61% of maternal deaths worldwide." (Photo: United Nations Photo/ flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health

COVID-19 and the Need for Action on Mental Health

"Although the COVID-19 crisis is, in the first instance, a physical health crisis, it has the seeds of a major mental health crisis as well, if action is not taken. Good mental health is critical to the functioning of society at the best of times. It must be front and centre of every country’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The mental health and wellbeing of whole societies have been severely impacted by this crisis and are a priority to be addressed urgently." (Photo: Liberal Democrats/flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

US and UK 'lead push against global patent pool for Covid-19 drugs'

US and UK 'lead push against global patent pool for Covid-19 drugs'

"Ministers and officials from every nation will meet via video link on Monday for the annual world health assembly, which is expected to be dominated by efforts to stop rich countries monopolising drugs and future vaccines against Covid-19. As some countries buy up drugs thought to be useful against the coronavirus, causing global shortages, and the Trump administration does deals with vaccine companies to supply America first, there is dismay among public health experts and campaigners who believe it is vital to pull together to end the pandemic." (Photo: EpicTop10.com/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Opinion: How to prevent the 2020s from becoming a lost decade for children

Opinion: How to prevent the 2020s from becoming a lost decade for children

"A few short months ago, we were talking about the 2020s as the “decade of delivery” for the Sustainable Development Goals. Now, we are facing a “lost decade” as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to roll back the hard-won gains of the last 30 years. Can we prevent a great reversal in development? That is the question hanging over millions of the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. The health, the hopes, and, in some cases, the lives of these children are on the line — not that you would know it from the international response." (Photo: UNICEF Ethiopia/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Die COVID-19 Krise als Weckruf, die globale Gesundheitsfinanzierung zu überdenken
Photo by Kseniia Ilinykh on Unsplash

Die COVID-19 Krise als Weckruf, die globale Gesundheitsfinanzierung zu überdenken

COVID-19 ist global, doch die Antwort auf diese globale Bedrohung ist weitgehend national. Die globale Antwort zur Finanzierung der Pandemie beschränkt sich auf Beiträge aus der Entwicklungshilfe (ODA) u. ä. und ist unzureichend. Trotz grosser Reden hat sich die Gruppe der 20 am stärksten industrialisierten Nationen (G20) bei ihrem jüngsten Gipfel nicht an das Ziel herangewagt, bis Ende 2021 zwei Milliarden Dosen COVID-19 Impfstoffe zu verteilen. Die G20 hat versagt, darüber zu diskutieren, wie gemeinsame Güter definiert und finanziert werden sollen. Selbst angesichts der grössten Pandemie seit 100 Jahren gibt es keinen politischen Willen, sich mit der Finanzierung globaler Gemeinschaftsgüter für die Gesundheit zu befassen. Diese politische Vernachlässigung hat auch dazu geführt, dass wichtige Institutionen wie die WHO unterfinanziert sind. Ein Paradigmenwechsel in der globalen Gesundheitsfinanzierung ist notwendig, fordert Ilona Kickbusch.

Covid-19 crisis raises hopes of end to UK transmission of HIV

Covid-19 crisis raises hopes of end to UK transmission of HIV

“In the war against any infectious virus,” says Dr Alan McOwan, “You’re trying to win various battles. You have to keep clobbering it from every direction you can.” That’s true for coronavirus, he says, as well as for other viral conditions. An HIV specialist at London’s 56 Dean Street sexual health clinic, McOwan sees similarities between Covid-19 and HIV. Both are viruses without a working vaccine, you can be infectious without knowing it, and both rely mostly on close human contact to spread." (Photo: NIAID/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Coronavirus Global Response: €7.4 billion raised for universal access to vaccines

Coronavirus Global Response: €7.4 billion raised for universal access to vaccines

"Today, the Commission registered €7.4 billion, equivalent to $8 billion, in pledges from donors worldwide during the Coronavirus Global Response pledging event. This includes a pledge of €1.4 billion by the Commission. This almost reaches the initial target of €7.5 billion and is a solid starting point for the worldwide pledging marathon, which begins today. The aim is to gather significant funding to ensure the collaborative development and universal deployment of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines against coronavirus." (Photo: LIBER Europe/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Planning and Ending Gender-based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Planning and Ending Gender-based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage

"UNFPA aims to achieve three world-changing results by 2030, the deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. These are: Ending unmet need for family planning, ending gender-based violence including harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage, and ending all preventable maternal deaths. COVID-19 pandemic could critically undermine progress made towards achieving these goals." (Photo: Bread for the World/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The Coronavirus pandemic and the irrelevance of the SDGs: Time for a new Jubilee

The Coronavirus pandemic and the irrelevance of the SDGs: Time for a new Jubilee

"According to Remco van de Pas, SDG3 on health and wellbeing has been irrelevant to address global challenges in this area. The futility of this SDG and limits of the World Health Organization are today painfully clear in the approach of the covid-19 pandemic. Although the crisis was not unexpected, WHO member states have insufficiently invested and left much scope for charities and private investors. The author scrutinizes global public health policies and advocates the creation of a new Jubilee Campaign for indebted countries."

The Global Fund makes laudable efforts to tackle COVID-19, but questions remain

The Global Fund makes laudable efforts to tackle COVID-19, but questions remain

"Early March, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria recognized the threat that the novel coronavirus that causes the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) poses to the health systems of its beneficiary countries. The Global Fund issued a first guidance note allowing countries to redeploy underutilized assets, repurpose grant savings and, in exceptional cases, reprogram up to 5% funding from existing grants to fight COVID-19. The Secretariat estimates the costs of these flexibilities at $500 million. A month later, the Global Fund announced an additional $500 million to a newly created COVID-19 Response Mechanism."

Test, test, test: COVID-19 and HIV testing updates

Test, test, test: COVID-19 and HIV testing updates

"The International AIDS Society (IAS) is organizing a series of webinars on the topic of COVID-19 and HIV to discuss the pandemic and its impact on people living with HIV. Through these webinar sessions, the IAS would like to provide an opportunity for discussion around the latest science, in addition to sharing learning and best practices in relation to COVID-19 and HIV between countries at different stages of the pandemic, especially in lower- and middle-income countries. The webinars are recommended to HIV professionals, government representatives working in the field of HIV, public health specialists, programme managers, service providers, civil society representatives and members of organizations supporting key and vulnerable populations."

Gesundheitssysteme in der COVID-19-Bekämpfung grob vernachlässigt
Photo by Olga Kononenko on Unsplash

Gesundheitssysteme in der COVID-19-Bekämpfung grob vernachlässigt

Führende Gesundheitsexpert*innen warnen, dass ohne leistungsfähige Gesundheitssysteme die gegenwärtige Pandemie nicht zu bewältigen ist. Sie kritisieren das kurzsichtige Handeln von Ländern mit hohem Einkommen, die mit der globalen Initiative „ACT-A“ vor allem in die Beschaffung von Impfstoffen, aber kaum in Gesundheitssysteme investieren. Der ACT-A (Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator), eine im April 2020 unter anderem von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO), der Europäischen Kommission und der französischen Regierung ins Leben gerufene Initiative – angetreten zur Beschleunigung der Entwicklung und gerechten Verteilung von COVID-19-Tests und –Impfstoffen – hat es versäumt, schwache Gesundheitssysteme zu unterstützen. Es fehlen Milliarden von Dollar, um in Schutzkleidung, Sauerstoff, medizinisches Personal oder in Kühlketten, von einkommensschwachen Ländern zu investieren.

Covid-19 tracking app must satisfy human rights and data laws

Covid-19 tracking app must satisfy human rights and data laws

"The government’s plan to exit lockdown through a tracking app will need detailed justification to satisfy human rights and data protection laws, a report has warned. A centralised system for contact tracing, which it is thought the government may well choose, would result in “significantly greater interference with users’ privacy and require greater justification”, the report – given as a legal opinion – concludes." (Photo: Aaron Yoo/flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

27 Apr 2020 : The Gates Foundation's new move

27 Apr 2020 : The Gates Foundation's new move

"Director-General Tedros and other senior officials at WHO have today been retweeting an interview from the Financial Times in which Bill Gates announces that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is refocusing all of its efforts on the COVID-19 response: “We’ve taken an organisation that was focused on HIV and malaria and polio eradication, and almost entirely shifted it to work on this [COVID-19] … This has the foundation’s total attention.” (Photo: UN Geneva/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

COVID-19 threatens women’s and girls’ well-being & requires men and boys to come on board

COVID-19 threatens women’s and girls’ well-being & requires men and boys to come on board

"The current Covid-19 pandemic is a major gender and inequity challenge at various levels of society, including in the home. Many governments have ordered lockdowns – citizens are urged to stay in their homes to limit the spread of the virus. With this arrangement, however, the threat of gender-based violence lurks around and the burden of care work in households will be a heavy burden carried by women and girls, creating stress and anxiety that could make them susceptible to disease." (Photo: DFID - UK Department for International Development/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

The impact of COVID-19 on women

The impact of COVID-19 on women

"The year 2020, marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, was intended to be ground-breaking for gender equality. Instead, with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, even the limited gains made in the past decades are at risk of being rolled back. The pandemic is deepening pre-existing inequalities, exposing vulnerabilities in social, political and economic systems which are in turn amplifying the impacts of the pandemic." (Photo: UN Women Asia and the Pacific/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Trump macht die WHO für seine Misere verantwortlich

Trump macht die WHO für seine Misere verantwortlich

Der Chefredakteur des Lancet, Richard Horton, nennt Donald Trumps jüngste Aktion "ein Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit". Der US-Präsident hatte gestern verkündet, alle Zahlungen an die Weltgesundheitsorganisation zu stoppen. Trump beschuldigt die WHO falsche Informationen über die Ausbreitung des Coronavirus verbreitet zu haben. Trump, der angesichts der Gesundheitskrise in den USA massiv unter Beschuss geraten ist, macht nun die WHO für seine eigenes Missmanagement im Umgang mit COVID-19 verantwortlich, wie Kritiker vermuten. (Foto: Jonathan Cutrer/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

Wir sitzen nicht alle im selben Boot
Photo by Tony Lam Hoang on Unsplash

Wir sitzen nicht alle im selben Boot

Es herrscht tiefe Besorgnis darüber, dass die Pandemie die Ungleichheit auf der ganzen Welt in die Höhe treiben wird, mit sehr schädlichen Auswirkungen. Eigentlich hatte die Weltbank erwartet, dass 2020 die Zahl der extrem Armen um 31 Millionen sinken wird. Stattdessen sind geschätzte 88 Millionen Menschen zusätzlich unter die Einkommensgrenze von 1,90 Dollar pro Tag gerutscht. Ihre Gesamtzahl ist nun wieder so hoch wie 2015 und wie der aktuelle Oxfam Bericht darlegt, könnte die Zahl, der in Armut lebenden Menschen erst wieder in einem Jahrzehnt das Niveau vor der Pandemie erreichen. Die Pandemie hat aufgezeigt, dass die meisten Menschen auf der Erde nur einen Monatslohn vom Elend entfernt leben. Im Gegensatz dazu, ist das Vermögen der Reichsten, trotz der Pandemie weltweit um mehrere Milliarden angestiegen. Nach kurzem Einbruch hat die beispiellose Unterstützung der Regierungen vieler Länder den Aktienmarkt und damit das Vermögen der Milliardäre in die Höhe schnellen lassen, während die Realwirtschaft eine tiefe Rezession erlebt.

The Global Impact of COVID-19 and Strategies for Mitigation and Suppression

The Global Impact of COVID-19 and Strategies for Mitigation and Suppression

"The world faces a severe and acute public health emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. How individual countries respond in the coming weekswill be critical in influencing the trajectory of national epidemics. Here we combine data on age-specific contact patterns and COVID-19 severity to project the health impact of the pandemic in 202 countries. We compare predicted mortality impacts in the absence of interventions or spontaneous social distancing with what might be achieved with policies aimed at mitigating or suppressing transmission. Our estimates of mortality and healthcare demand are based on data from China and high-income countries; differences in underlying health conditions and healthcare system capacity will likely result in different patterns in low income settings." (Photo: Prachatai/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

After the pandemic: How will COVID-19 transform global health and development?

After the pandemic: How will COVID-19 transform global health and development?

"The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption for the global health and development community. Organizations fighting infectious disease, supporting health workers, delivering social services, and protecting livelihoods have moved to the very center of the world’s attention. But they find their work complicated by challenges of access, safety, supply chain logistics, and financial stress like never before." (Photo: Public Services International/flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

Covid-19: The road to equity and solidarity
Photo by Hakan Nural on Unsplash

Covid-19: The road to equity and solidarity

"The covid-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of the importance of equity and solidarity. As we move forward, it is vital that we explore the drivers of the pandemic, learn from the global response, and become more prepared for the future. This collection of articles analyses some of the major global issues arising from the pandemic, including the political economy of the response, the role of international institutions, overwhelmed health systems, the role of social determinants, the value of indices of preparedness, and the need for all countries to act together to reduce inequality, protect health, and organise a more effective response to climate change."

Priorities for the Health Financing Response to COVID-19

Priorities for the Health Financing Response to COVID-19

"By now, every country in the world is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The need to act is urgent, but the response must be coherent. It will be of little help if the urgency of the moment leads to chaos in how countries and the global community respond. This requires distinguishing what needs to be done – actions in service delivery, financing, and governance – from the objectives to be achieved in terms of health security and universal health coverage (UHC). The choice is not between health security and UHC. Investing in core health systems-functions is key to both, complemented by public policy actions beyond the health system." (Photo: United States Mission Geneva/flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

Disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak

Disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak

"In March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, to be a pandemic, due to the speed and scale of transmission. WHO and public health authorities around the world are taking action to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. Certain populations, such as those with disability, may be impacted more significantly by COVID-19. This impact can be mitigated if simple actions and protective measures are taken by key stakeholders." (Photo: Camp ASCCA/flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

Rights in the time of COVID-19 — Lessons from HIV for an effective, community-led response

Rights in the time of COVID-19 — Lessons from HIV for an effective, community-led response

"Right now, we are facing an unpredictable and highly dynamic situation as a global community. However, as we have seen from the solidarity, support and power of communities in the HIV epidemic and already in communities responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the response must not be fear and stigma. We need to build a culture of solidarity, trust and kindness. Our response to COVID-19 must be grounded in the realities of people’s lives and focused on eliminating the barriers people face in being able to protect themselves and their communities. Empowerment and guidance, rather than restrictions, can ensure that people can act without fear of losing their livelihood, sufficient food being on the table and the respect of their community." (Photo: GovernmentZA/flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0)

The rights and health of refugees, migrants and stateless must be protected in COVID-19 response

The rights and health of refugees, migrants and stateless must be protected in COVID-19 response

"In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, we are all vulnerable. The virus has shown that it does not discriminate – but many refugees, those forcibly displaced, the stateless and migrants are at heightened risk. Three-quarters of the world’s refugees and many migrants are hosted in developing regions where health systems are already overwhelmed and under-capacitated. Many live in overcrowded camps, settlements, makeshift shelters or reception centres, where they lack adequate access to health services, clean water and sanitation." (Photo: United Nations Photo/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

COVID-19: A Gender Lens

COVID-19: A Gender Lens

"Disease outbreaks affect women and men differently, and pandemics make existing inequalities for women and girls and discrimination of other marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities and those in extreme poverty, worse. This needs to be considered, given the different impacts surrounding detection and access to treatment for women and men. Women represent 70 percent of the health and social sector workforce globally and special attention should be given to how their work environment may expose them to discrimination, as well as thinking about their sexual and reproductive health and psychosocial needs as frontline health workers." (Photo: Nik Andr/flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)

COVID-19: the gendered impacts of the outbreak

COVID-19: the gendered impacts of the outbreak

"Policies and public health efforts have not addressed the gendered impacts of disease outbreaks. The response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears no different. We are not aware of any gender analysis of the outbreak by global health institutions or governments in affected countries or in preparedness phases. Recognising the extent to which disease outbreaks affect women and men differently is a fundamental step to understanding the primary and secondary effects of a health emergency on different individuals and communities, and for creating effective, equitable policies and interventions." (Photo: UN Women/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

COVID-19 gives the lie to global health expertise

COVID-19 gives the lie to global health expertise

"As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak began spreading in Europe and the USA, a chart started circulating online showing ratings from the 2019 Global Health Security Index, an assessment of 195 countries' capacity to face infectious disease outbreaks, compiled by the US-based Nuclear Threat Initiative and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health's Center for Health Security. The USA was ranked first, and the UK second; South Korea was ranked ninth, and China 51st; most African countries were at the bottom of the ranking. Things look different now." (Photo: GPA Photo Archive/flickr, CC BY 2.0)

« Die WHO kommt nicht unbeschadet aus dieser Pandemie hervor »

« Die WHO kommt nicht unbeschadet aus dieser Pandemie hervor »

Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) ist regelmässig sowohl uneingeschränktem Lob als auch bissiger Kritik ausgesetzt. Wurde sie 2009 gegenüber der Schweinegrippe dafür kritisiert, überreagiert zu haben, warf man ihr 2014 gegenüber der Ebola-Epidemie in Westafrika vor, zu zurückhaltend gewesen zu sein. Der Leiter des Instituts für globale Gesundheit an der Universität Genf, Antoine Flahault, vermutet gegenüber der Zeitung Le Temps, dass sich die WHO nach der gegenwärtigen Krise tiefgehenden Fragen stellen müsse, die ihre Funktionsweise, ihre Gouvernanz, ihre Unabhängigkeit und ihre Mittel betreffen. (Foto: COVID-19 - Coronavirus/Tim Dennell/flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

Die Pandemie in den Griff bekommen

Die Pandemie in den Griff bekommen

Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) stuft die Verbreitung des neuen Coronavirus nun als Pandemie ein. Dies erklärte der WHO-Generaldirektor Dr. Tedros am 11. März 2020 in Genf. Er kritisierte dabei fehlendes Handeln und das alarmie-rende Niveau an Untätigkeit im Kampf gegen das Virus durch die Staaten weltweit. Er geht davon aus, dass die Zahlen in den kommenden Wochen noch weiter ansteigen werden. Tedros wies darauf hin, dass alle Länder den Verlauf der Pandemie noch ändern könnten und empfiehlt einen "gemischten" Ansatz . Einerseits die Stärkung der Kapazitäten von Krankenhäusern und Gesundheitseinrichtungen bei gleichzeitiger Weiterführung von notwendigen Massnahmen zur Eindämmung des Virus. Die letzte Pandemie war 2009 aufgrund des H1N1 Influenza von der WHO ausgerufen worden. Eine Pandemie bezeichnet eine sich schnell ausbreitende ganze Länder und Kontinente erfassende Krankheit. (Foto: Corona-Pandemie/ Michael Gubi/flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

OPINION: What fight against tuberculosis can teach us about fighting COVID-19

OPINION: What fight against tuberculosis can teach us about fighting COVID-19

"As we fight COVID-19, we must seize the opportunity to rethink our approach to health security and break out of the cycle of panic and neglect. As governments around the world struggle to contain spiraling infections and an ever-increasing death toll from COVID-19, it’s worth reflecting on what lessons we can draw from the long and still unfinished fight against tuberculosis (TB) – the world’s most deadly infectious disease that kills nearly 1.5 million per year." (Photo: SBT4NOW/flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Global Impact of COVID-19 and Strategies for Mitigation and Suppression

"The world faces a severe and acute public health emergency due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. How individual countries respond in the coming weekswill be critical in influencing the trajectory of national epidemics. Here we combine data on age-specific contact patterns and COVID-19 severity to project the health impact of the pandemic in 202 countries. We compare predicted mortality impacts in the absence of interventions or spontaneous social distancing with what might be achieved with policies aimed at mitigating or suppressing transmission. Our estimates of mortality and healthcare demand are based on data from China and high-income countries; differences in underlying health conditions and healthcare system capacity will likely result in different patterns in low income settings." (Photo: Prachatai/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Using socioeconomics to counter health disparities arising from the covid-19 pandemic

Using socioeconomics to counter health disparities arising from the covid-19 pandemic

"Principles and methods drawn from decades of work showing that lower socioeconomic status is associated with poorer health should guide efforts to monitor and mitigate the impact of the covid-19 pandemic argue Geoffrey Anderson and colleagues." (Photo: USAID U.S. Agency for International Development/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

COVID-19 and HIV: Adapting community-based HIV services during a pandemic

COVID-19 and HIV: Adapting community-based HIV services during a pandemic

"The International AIDS Society (IAS) is organizing a series of webinars on the topic of COVID-19 and HIV to discuss the pandemic and its impact on people living with HIV. Through these webinar sessions, the IAS would like to provide an opportunity for discussion around the latest science, in addition to sharing learning and best practices in relation to COVID-19 and HIV between countries at different stages of the pandemic, especially in lower- and middle-income countries. The webinars are recommended to HIV professionals, government representatives working in the field of HIV, public health specialists, programme managers, service providers, civil society representatives and members of organizations supporting key and vulnerable populations." (Photo: IAS)

Der Ruf nach einem globalen Pandemievertrag mit umfassenderen Präventionsmassnahmen
Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Der Ruf nach einem globalen Pandemievertrag mit umfassenderen Präventionsmassnahmen

Die WHO und 25 Staats- und Regierungschefs der Welt verständigten sich Ende März 2021 darauf, dass ein globaler Pandemievertrag notwendig geworden ist. Zum einen, um zukünftige Pandemien zu verhindern, zum anderen um diese effektiver und gerechter zu bekämpfen. Eines der Ziele eines solchen Vertrages sollte es sein, eine tiefergehende Prävention als bisher zu betreiben, fordern Wissenschaftler*innen: Anstatt sich darauf zu konzentrieren, dass Krankheitsausbrüche sich nicht weiterverbreiten, wie in den internationalen Gesundheitsvorschriften (IHRs) festgeschrieben, muss vielmehr der Ausbruch von Krankheiten verhindert werden. Insbesondere müssten Schlüsselfaktoren der Umweltzerstörung, Erkenntnisse aus der One-Health-Perspektive (z.B. das Verbot des Handels mit Wildtieren), zur Verringerung des Ausbruchs zoonotischer Erkrankungen, Eingang in umfassendere Präventionsmassnahmen erhalten. Ein globaler Pandemievertrag könnte u.a. die Kohärenz zwischen ratifizierten Umweltverträgen und den internationalen Gesundheitsvorschriften stärken und dazu beitragen, diese rechtlichen Regelungen durchsetzbarer und effektiver zu machen.

Gewalt gegen Gesundheitspersonal erreicht neuen Höhepunkt
Photo: © UNICEF Ethiopia/2020/Mulugeta Ayene/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Gewalt gegen Gesundheitspersonal erreicht neuen Höhepunkt

Im vergangenen Jahr wurde eine noch nie dagewesene Anzahl von Mitarbeiter*innen im Gesundheitswesen aufgrund der COVID-19 Pandemie angegriffen, misshandelt, entführt oder sogar ermordet. An einer an der Weltgesundheitsversammlung vom Global Health Center mitorganisierten Veranstaltung wurde berichtet, dass vor allem Frustration und Widerstand gegen COVID-19 Massnahmen diese weltweite Gewalt gegen Gesundheitspersonal ausgelöst haben. In der Zentralafrikanischen Republik sind die Angriffe auf Gesundheitspersonal um 79% gestiegen. Hinzu kommen die zunehmenden Zerstörungen von Gesundheitseinrichtungen in Konfliktregionen, gegen die bereits vor fünf Jahren eine wenig beachtete UN-Resolution erlassen wurde. Ein Vertreter von Ärzte ohne Grenzen aus Afghanistan fordert nach fünf Jahren Untätigkeit, mit fünf konkreten Massnahmen mehr Entschlossenheit von der WHO und der internationalen Gemeinschaft.

Eine Kritik am schwachen Bericht des Independent Panels zur COVID-19 Bewältigung
U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers/flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0

Eine Kritik am schwachen Bericht des Independent Panels zur COVID-19 Bewältigung

Der Bericht des von der WHO eingesetzten unabhängigen Gremiums zur Überprüfung des globalen Managements der COVID-19 Pandemie und zur Ausarbeitung von Empfehlungen zur Bewältigung der Pandemie ist enttäuschend, so fasst es Sara (Meg) Davis zusammen. Der Bericht benennt zwar zentrale Probleme und globale Ungleichheiten, doch die Empfehlungen werden den grossen Herausforderungen nicht gerecht. So drängt das Gremium eine Milliarde Impfdosen in Länder mit niedrigem und mittleren Einkommen zu spenden, doch angesichts des Bedarfs von 10 Milliarden Impfdosen, um das Virus einzudämmen, gleicht dies eher einem Almosen, denn einer Impfgerechtigkeit. Brutale Menschenrechtsverletzungen im Zusammenhang mit COVID-19 werden kaum benannt, ebensowenig wie die chinesische Geheimhaltung von Gesundheitsdaten. Auffallend bleibt die Abneigung gegen sensible politische Realitäten, die sich wie ein roter Faden durch den Bericht zieht.

WHO: Special World Health Assembly session proposed on “pandemic treaty”
Photo by Obi Onyeador on Unsplash

WHO: Special World Health Assembly session proposed on “pandemic treaty”

"The new draft decision on a so-called “pandemic treaty” proposes a special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in November to take a decision on the establishment of an intergovernmental process to negotiate a new agreement. The new draft decision dated 25 May, which is published as a WHA conference paper (A74/A/Conf./7) is the result of several rounds of informal talks over the last ten days, with strong push back from the United States, Brazil and Russia to the initial draft."

Bulletin #1: From the Frontlines of the World Health Assembly
Photo: Howard Lake/flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0

Bulletin #1: From the Frontlines of the World Health Assembly

"One year after the COVID-19 pandemic started spreading havoc worldwide, health ministers are once again gathering online for the 74th World Health Assembly (WHA74). WHA74 is being held in the midst of an erratic global vaccine rollout, in which rich countries have elbowed their way to most of the available doses, owned by big pharmaceutical companies. Advised by pharma advocates such as Bill Gates, they ignored their own early calls for global solidarity and relied on bilateral agreements with patent holders, allowing a flawed intellectual property system to compromise access for most of the world, and pushed the expected date of achieving wanted vaccination rates globally to 2024."

A pandemic treaty for a fragmented global polity
Photo: Prachatai/flickr; CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

A pandemic treaty for a fragmented global polity

"The COVID-19 pandemic is the most disruptive global political and economic crisis since World War 2, which gave birth to the UN, Bretton Woods institutions, and WHO. Although COVID-19 has prompted calls for equally ambitious reforms, the global polity is far more fragmented than the victor-dominated post-World War 2 era. The president of the European Council called for a so-called pandemic treaty in December, 2020. This proposal has since been endorsed by 26 heads of state and by the director-general of WHO."

Suerie Moon: We know how to end this pandemic, but we are missing political courage
Photo by Kay Lau on Unsplash

Suerie Moon: We know how to end this pandemic, but we are missing political courage

"This year’s World Health Assembly agenda was jam packed with virtual conversations on how to end the pandemic and prevent future health crises. Still, different health priorities were discussed with over 30 resolutions adopted on topics ranging from local production of medicines to ending violence against children to oral health. Sitting on the terrace of the Graduate Institute, global health expert and co-director of the Global Health Centre professor Suerie Moon shares her thoughts with Geneva Solutions on some of the fundamental discussions that took place during the WHA and what should be done moving forward to address the current Covid-19 pandemic and future health crises."

Bulletin #2: The struggle for vaccines
Photo by Mufid Majnun on Unsplash

Bulletin #2: The struggle for vaccines

"On 14 June, we marked the birth anniversary of Ernesto Che Guevara, whose vision guided the development of the Cuban healthcare system. Today, healthcare in Cuba remains rooted in the ideals of social and revolutionary medicine fought for by Che. They are an inspiration in the current times of pandemic. Members of the Cuban international health brigades that went to support the pandemic response in 39 countries have already paid tribute to this vision. The upcoming Cuban vaccines will certainly do the same, as they have the potential to significantly boost vaccination drives in low and middle income countries. We bring an in-depth story on the vaccine research and development process in Cuba, as a tribute to the public health capacities that made it possible."