By Eugene Nicklaus S. Laqui
A resounding applause broke out among the member nations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) after the recent signing and reveal of a pandemic treaty to push for international collaboration against another potential future global pandemic-level health emergency.
‘Multilateralism’ to fight global health emergencies
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus called the upholding of the pandemic agreement a “multilateralism” interest of all nations in collaborating with their counterparts to prevent another COVID-19-like devastation.
He said such a move is a “historic” step towards an age where prioritising national interests has become a trend.
According to Ghbebreyesus, the pandemic agreement was introduced in 2022, amid the onslaught of COVID-19. It has been under intense debate and revisions among member states of the WHO.
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What is the treaty all about?
A highlight of the international health treaty is to encourage nations to share their knowledge and development regarding newly discovered viruses that could threaten humanity.
The agreement also emphasises the need for a swift, systematic and collaborative testing of patients infected with future viruses to better control the spread of diseases.
The spread of COVID-19 had been comparable to a wildfire, according to experts, due to the leniency and lack of testing protocols in most countries. This is especially the case in impoverished communities.
Moreover, the pandemic accord has also shed light on the need for continuous financial support for developing medicines and vaccines against future fatal viruses to curb the number of deaths from potentially deadly diseases.
COVID-19 has ravaged the world with millions of infections and deaths recorded by the WHO since the spread of the virus early in 2020.
The respiratory disease remains globally, however the distribution of vaccines to most of the global population has helped curb the number of fatalities and the daily reports of infections.
China steps in to keep WHO’s budget afloat
Chinese Vice Premier of the State Council Liu Guozhong was among the high dignitaries who attended the WHO-led meeting in Geneva. He revealed that China is ready to pour US$500 million into the budget of the United Nations health organization over the next five years.
The Chinese official said that the move would help the WHO to continue its research and development projects despite the shocking decision of the United States to cut its financial support.
He said that his country understands the importance of multilateralism in spearheading world issues, especially on global health security.
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Hazel Camba 
Shameeka Voyiya 
Newsjustnews writers