International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed every year on 27th December. The UN member states commit to ensure inclusive, equal, and non-discriminatory participation, with special attention to those who are vulnerable with highest chance of epidemic infection.
The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed to highlight and advertise the significance of global preparedness in preventing and responding to epidemics.
The United Nation General Assembly invites all Member States, Organizations of United Nations, and other global, regional, and sub-regional organizations, private sectors, civil society, academic institutions, individuals, and relevant stakeholders to observe the day.
The UN promotes to observe this day in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national contexts and priorities, through education and awareness-raising activities, to highlight the importance of the prevention of preparedness for and partnership against epidemics.
The Secretary General United Nations, Antonio Guterres in a statement said that COVID-19 is no longer the international public health emergency, it was, but still circulating, and its devastating effects are still with us. Economic damage inflicted by the pandemic endures.
Many healthcare systems are struggling, millions of children are threatened by disease after missing routine childhood vaccinations. Moreover, three years after the first COVID-19 vaccines were developed, billions of people remain unprotected, overwhelmingly in developing countries.
He further added that working together, the world must improve surveillance of viruses, strengthen health systems, and make the promise of Universal Health Coverage a reality.
We must renounce the moral and medical disaster of rich countries hoarding and controlling pandemic healthcare supplies, and ensure everyone has access to diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. And we must strengthen the World Health Organizations authority and financing.
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Moreover, he added that these efforts are making progress. The high-level meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response in September agreed a robust political declaration. This complements the negotiations on a pandemic accord in Geneva.
On the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, the Secretary General urged the countries to build on this momentum by delivering a strong, comprehensive accord, focused on equity, by next year’s World Health Assembly in May.
While concluding his statement he said let us act together on the lessons of COVID-19, prepare, and build a fairer, healthier world for all.
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