Global leaders must act immediately on two significant initiatives: build new global health security institutions and “securitize” health globally.
Mentioning “The Next Pandemic” alone is enough to evoke a sense of unease, conjuring memories of the recent, unsettling experience of COVID-19 lockdowns, social isolation, fear, illness, and uncertainty. In recorded history, no earthquake, hurricane, or drought has claimed more lives than the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has been the biggest disaster in living memory; global recorded deaths sit at almost seven million. Despite advancements, the urgency to fortify global health security measures is undeniable.
We are living in a world where the risks of pandemics are growing, driven by climate change, urbanisation, deforestation, and world travel. Although the world is more prepared after COVID-19, are we prepared in a way that will prevent the next pandemic? Technically, COVID-19 revealed the inadequacy of health security capacity in many countries as well as the current global health security architecture.
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the shortcomings in the health security capacity of numerous countries and has underscored the limitations of the existing global health security architecture.
The unprecedented challenges posed by the virus have exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems worldwide, prompting a critical reevaluation of preparedness and response mechanisms at both national and international levels. The need for a robust and adaptable health security framework has become increasingly apparent in the face of emerging infectious threats.
While the world has made significant strides in pandemic preparedness and response, it’s essential to recognise that preparedness levels can vary across countries and regions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed both strengths and weaknesses in the global health security architecture. While progress has been made, challenges persist, and ongoing efforts are needed to strengthen the global health security infrastructure.
The world’s readiness for another pandemic will depend on continued investment in health security infrastructure, research and development, and international collaboration.
Undeniably, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for collective action and a sense of urgency in addressing global health security challenges. The lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis should serve as a catalyst for positive change and improvements in pandemic prevention and preparedness. To a large extent, global health security has become an important area of foreign and security policy and, hence, of global health diplomacy.
Even though the UN Security Council has addressed health security globally beyond the issue of epidemics and pandemics, to build a safer, healthier, and more resilient world, the following key actions are recommended:
- Global Health Security Cooperation: Strengthen international collaboration, involving information sharing, resources, and expertise across borders to collectively combat and prevent future pandemics.
- Research and Development: investing in the research and development of medical technologies, treatments, and vaccines. Continuous innovation and preparedness efforts can significantly enhance our ability to respond to emerging health threats.
- Global Health Security Infrastructure: Building and fortifying health security infrastructure is vital. This includes strengthening global health governance, ensuring an adequate supply of medical equipment, and training healthcare professionals.
- Surveillance and Early Warning Systems: Enhancing surveillance and early warning systems can help in the timely identification of potential outbreaks. This involves the use of advanced data analytics and global monitoring networks.
- Global Health Security Education: Communicating accurate information to the public and promoting health security education initiatives can empower individuals to take appropriate preventive measures and participate actively in the collective response.
By emphasising these recommendations, the global community can aim to mitigate the impact of future pandemics and build a world that is better prepared to handle global health crises. Today is the righteous time to expand efforts through shared actions.
We must work with urgency, coating the lessons learned from COVID-19, and participate effectively in pandemic prevention and preparedness to build a healthier, safer, and more resilient world. Global leaders must act immediately on two significant initiatives: build new global health security institutions and “securitize” health at the global level.
