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WHO Forecasts New Pandemic, Deadlier Than Covid-19, Is Coming Up

Wednesday, May 24th 2023 - 10:17 UTC

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Tedros also called on world leaders to take preventive measures to avoid a global meltdown

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Tuesday warned of a new pandemic coming up in the near future, which will be deadlier than Covid-19 and would be caused by "another emerging pathogen with even more deadly potential." It would be a Covid-19 variant, Tedros also explained.

According to the WHO, "there is still the threat of the emergence of another pathogen with an even more deadly potential", which is why world leaders have been urged to design a strategy to face these challenges. Tedros also warned that although the international emergency caused by Covid-19 is over, there is still the threat of "the appearance of another variant that could cause new waves of disease and death."

The UN official also stressed the "high mental health cost" of the last pandemic. "Many of our own employees, like many health care workers around the world, have experienced severe stress and burnout," as "the pandemic has confronted us with unprecedented challenges," he said.

"We need a generational commitment that we will not return to the old cycle of panic and neglect that left our world vulnerable but will move forward with a shared commitment to addressing shared threats with a joint response. That's why we say the pandemic is a generational commitment: a commitment from this generation is important because this generation experienced how terrible a small virus can be," he added while insisting that the new pandemic could arrive soon and everyone should remain alert and "be prepared to respond decisively, collectively and equitably."

Tedros also explained that new pathogens and pandemics will arrive in one form or another, so world leaders must initiate their strategies on these challenges. He recalled that the pandemic affected the mental health of people around the world, presenting high rates of stress and exhaustion, and insisted that there is already a WHO alert on a Covid-19 variant that could cause new infections and deaths. He said that the focus remains on the Sustainable Development Goals, so work must continue on them while addressing the pandemic.

In 2015, world leaders adopted a set of global goals to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.

The UN health agency insists on the need to be prepared: "We can't afford to procrastinate".

"We cannot procrastinate. If we don't make the necessary changes, who will make them? And if we don't make them now, when? When the next pandemic comes knocking, and it will, we must be prepared to respond decisively, collectively, and equitably," Tedros said during his opening speech at the 76th World Health Assembly.

Tedros also called on world leaders to no longer delay the approval of the international treaty to take preventive measures to avoid a global meltdown.

I Am Happy To Be Called Tulsi Bhai Given The Prominence Of Plant: WHO Chief

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday said that he liked being called "Tulsi Bhai" considering the prominence of the plant. Ghebreyesus said that he liked the name as the plant is a medicinal plant.

Speaking to reporters after his visit to a Health and Wellness Centre in Adraj Moti Village in Gandhinagar, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "Tulsi Bhai, I like the name because the plant is a medicinal plant. By the way, I just planted Tulsi here in the wellness center and I'm really happy to do that because it has many benefits to take care of our forest and to contribute to make sure that our world is green. So, I don't see it only as medicinal, but I think given the climate change we're witnessing now, planting trees is very important. So I am really glad to be part of that. So, I'm happy to be called Tulsi Bhai, given the prominence of the plant." Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed WHO Chief Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has arrived in India to participate in the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine set to be held in Gandhinagar on August 17-18.

Responding to the Ministry of Ayush's post on X, formerly known as Twitter, PM Modi stated, "My good friend Tulsi Bhai is clearly well prepared for Navratri! Welcome to India, @DrTedros!" PM Modi's remarks came after WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus played 'dandiya' upon his arrival in Gujarat. In a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the Ministry of Ayush, the WHO chief can be seen playing dandiya to the tunes of Gujarati folk music.

While sharing the video on X, the Ministry of Ayush wrote, "A warm welcome to the WHO Director-General, @DrTedros, also known as Tulsi Bhai, the endearing name conferred upon him by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi. And swagatam, esteemed delegates to the historic WHO Summit on Traditional Medicine." In another post, the Ministry of Ayush wrote, "We begin the celebrations with an unforgettable welcome to our distinguished guests in true Indian tradition with music and dance ! Watch them dance to the vibrant beats of Gujarati folk music and immerse themselves in the warmth of Indian hospitality."

Notably, the WHO chief was given the name "Tulsi Bhai" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit held in Gandhinagar in April last year. Upon his arrival in India on Wednesday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X posted, "Delighted to be in #India for the @WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit, the Ministerial Meeting on Ending TB in @WHOSEARO and the G20 Health Ministers Meeting. Namaste India!"

Organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush, the WHO Summit on Traditional Medicine is set to take place in Gandhinagar on August 17-18. The summit will take into account the vast experience and expertise of India. The event will serve as a platform for experts and practitioners to delve into the latest scientific advancements and evidence-based knowledge in the sector, with the ultimate goal of ensuring health and well-being for all, according to the Ministry of Ayush press release.

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will inaugurate the event in the presence of Minister of Health Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal. G20 health Ministers, Regional Directors of WHO and eminent invitees from countries across WHO's six regions are expected to grace the event along with scientists, practitioners of traditional medicine, health workers and members of civil society organisations, according to the press release. (ANI)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Gujarat Will Be Mecca Of Traditional Medicine: WHO Director General Ghebreyesus

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Saturday that India's Gujarat would be the Mecca of traditional medicine in the coming years after the G20 Health Minister's Meeting concluded on Saturday. Tedros said that the summit went very well.

"I believe this is a very unique meeting, a summit on traditional medicine. And I believe that in a few years from now, Gujarat will be the Mecca of traditional medicine," Tedros said. He also thanked the people of India and the Indian government for their hospitality and also for the excellent leadership of India.

"Many things have been actually discussed during this G20. Not only the strict G20 issues but we started from traditional medicine," Tedros said. "We inaugurated the Center for Traditional Medicine. The Global WHO Center for Traditional Medicine last year with His Excellency, the Prime Minister. And following that we decided to have an annual summit for traditional medicine. And we had the summit a couple of days ago," he added while speaking to the media.

"And I would like to thank India for hosting the centre and for its commitment to regular summit which will be done hopefully every two years," Tedros said. Tedros further highlighted the two things discussed during the summit.

"One is on the countermeasures. The COVID emergency has ended but still, COVID is around. But not only that, we have to prepare for the next one. And one of the challenges during COVID was the lack of equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics," Tedros said. He further added that the G 20 countries have agreed under India's presidency to address the access to medical countermeasures.

"The second is the Digital Health initiative and WHO will coordinate the initiative and will be its secretariat. And this is to use digital technology, including AI, to achieve universal health coverage," Tedros said mentioning the second highlight. Speaking on the Ayushman Wellness Centre, Tedros said, "I have witnessed here when we visited the Ayushman Baharat Wellness Center how telemedicine can be used to link the health post with a remote hospital and serve people."

"And we have also some presentations from some countries with good experience in digital technology. So that's another initiative that which launched today that will benefit the whole world," he added. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of an inclusive, ambitious, and action-oriented G20 Presidency, the G20 Health Minister's Meeting concluded on Saturday in Gujarat's Gandhinagar with the adoption of an Outcome Document, as well as the launch of the Global Initiative of Digital Health.

The second day of the Health Minister's Meeting saw sessions on India's two G20 Health Priorities- Strengthening Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector with a focus on Availability & Access to Safe, Effective, Quality and Affordable Medical Countermeasures- Vaccine, Therapeutics & Diagnostics, and Digital Health Innovation & Solutions to aid Universal Health Coverage & Improve Healthcare Service Delivery. The last day of the G20 Health Minister's Meeting also saw the 1st Joint Finance and Health Ministerial under the Indian Presidency.

He was joined by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization (WHO), Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar, and SP Singh Baghel. Earlier today, the G20 Health Minister's Meeting witnessed the unanimous adoption of The Outcome Document, agreed to by all G20 delegations.

According to a government release, the Outcome Document reaffirmed the commitment of G20 countries to continue strengthening the Global Health Architecture. (ANI)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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