Health Minister Quiets Public Concerns Over Sovereignty And The WHO
Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton has sought to quiet concerns that Governments participating in the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA) would cede their sovereignty to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in matters of public health.
“The Ministry of Health & Wellness team confirms that there are no conference papers tabled on any decisions for countries ceding authority to the WHO,” he said earlier today [May 26] from Geneva, Switzerland were the 75th World Health Assembly is being held.
The International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, which is being contemplated at the meeting, he said, is an international instrument that provides a framework through which countries prevent, detect, notify and respond to public health events that have the potential to become public health emergencies of international concern.
“Over the last two years, many countries have felt that the IHR needed to be strengthened as there were areas of response that could have been handled differently in the (COVID-19) pandemic. The concerns resulted in the Member Countries of the WHO launching several processes to explore strengthening of preparedness and response to health emergencies in particular pandemics. There has been discussion on the different approaches that can be taken to strengthen the response in future events. Jamaica has been involved in these discussions,” the Minister explained.
The approaches include the proposed amendments to the IHR.
“It was against that background that the Special Session of the WHA, at the 150th Session of the Executive in January 2022, adopted a decision, by consensus, requesting dedicated time to allow for discussions on strengthening of the IHR (2005), including through implementation, compliance and potential amendments at the WHA and to urge Member States to take all appropriate measures to consider potential amendments to the IHR (2005),” the Minister noted.
In keeping with this, the United States has tabled proposals, some of which are fueling the discussions that are now being held in the public space about Governments ceding sovereignty to the WHO.
“These proposals, except for one, have not received support from many countries and are therefore not up for any adoption by the World Health Assembly. Specifically, currently there are no conference papers on any decisions for countries ceding authority to the WHO,” Dr. Tufton said.
The current Conference Paper on IHR amendments is an amendment that seeks only to reduce the period for entry into force for any amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).
“This is the only proposal from the USA that is being contemplated now. The matter is being discussed within the context of the WHA with a view to finding consensus between those who wish for a shorter time period and others who would wish to have the longer time to provide greater policy space for implementation,” the Minister noted.
Jamaica’s statement to the WHA on the matter reiterates that the process for amendments to the IHR must be guided by principles such as consensus, equity, solidarity, inclusivity, transparency, and respect for national sovereignty.
“Jamaica will continue to participate in discussions to strengthen implementation and compliance with the IHR,” the Minister said.
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