GHTC joins statement to World Health Assembly on health emergencies and preparedness
The following statement—from Global Health Council, supported by the Global Health Technologies Coalition—was delivered at the 74
th session of the World Health Assembly on agenda items 17: WHO’s work in health emergencies and strengthening preparedness for health emergencies and 18:
Mental health preparedness for and response to the COVID 19 pandemic.
More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, over one billion vaccine doses have been delivered globally. Yet access to vaccines and other lifesaving tools has not been equitable. The pandemic has spotlighted health inequities, which allow the virus to continue to spread, mutate, and overwhelm health systems—leaving marginalized populations further behind. These inequities were not borne of COVID-19 and inadequate investment and policy responses risk further widening the gap.