The Sultanate, represented by the Ministry of Health is facilitating with the cooperation of  the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva the virtual regional workshop on options and benefits of a pandemic treaty, that is convened today ( Wednesday) with the participation of countries in Eastern Mediterranean region.

The event is held in line with the Sultanate preparation for discussions at the special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) from 29 Nov. – 1 Dec. 2021 to consider the benefits of developing a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic preparedness and response, with a view towards the establishment of an intergovernmental process to draft and negotiate such instrument. 

The COVID-19 crisis has evidenced the need to adopt international regulations commensurate with the new level of globalization and interrelationship among world’s countries and various economic and social sectors. Therefore, the World Health Assembly established the Member States Working Group on Strengthening WHO Preparedness and Response to Health Emergencies where the outcomes of the working groups will be reviewed during the special session. The group recommended strengthening IHR, last updated in 2005, in addition to developing an international pandemic agreement or treaty.

H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Saidi, Minister of Health and H.E. Shaikh Khalifa Alharthy, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs participated in the meeting along with number of MOH’s senior officials. Number of ministers of health and technical experts at diplomatic missions and governments attended the workshop.

Minister of Health H.E. Dr Ahmed Al Saidi gave a word in the workshop where he affirmed that the meeting is part of a series of regional and stakeholder workshops to support governments and other actors with knowledge and evidence in the process of exploring options and benefits of a pandemic treaty.

Al Saidi pointed out that COVID-19 has had direct impacts on all countries even on those countries who thought that they were having advanced firm hospitals and healthcare systems, not to mention its effects on the personal level in all aspect of life such as travel, trade, education, and other.

The minister of health stressed the need for drawing up national legislation to govern epidemics in a way that involves all relevant sectors, and ensure their compatibility for building a sustainable and resilient health system capable of keeping pace with the new developments; allowing for the fair and smooth operation of  preventive measures and response mechanisms.  

Professor Haik Nikogosian, global and public health expert presented later the available mechanisms to confront pandemics, followed by a discussion between the participants.