Posted on: Wed 06-01-2021

The World Health Organisation has called on all countries to increase COVID-19 testing to enable them to monitor and respond effectively to the viral pandemic. The world health body also urges countries to invest more in preparedness and surveillance of new infections. This, WHO says, will help stop the next pandemic and ensure that everyone has access to quality health services. 

Making the call at a media briefing on COVID-19 on Tuesday, WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, said, “New variants, which appear to be more transmissible, are exacerbating the situation. 

“We call on all countries to increase testing and sequencing of the virus so that we can monitor and respond effectively to any changes. “Ultimately, countries have to consider their epidemiological situation and take appropriate measures based on the data. 

“To break chains of transmission, we must identify and find those who are infected, provide the care they need and help them truly isolate safely.” Stressing that the pandemic is still a major public health crisis, Ghebreyesus says countries must act together to get ahead of the virus.

“We’re in a race to prevent infections, bring cases down, protect health systems and save lives while rolling out highly effective and safe vaccines to high-risk populations. This is not easy. 

“But if we act together, we can win both races and get ahead of the virus while also limiting the opportunity for the virus to mutate further and threaten the health tools we currently have.

“So we must act for the most vulnerable that need help right now. “As well as minimising contacts in this critical period, governments must support people who have to isolate or quarantine. 

“Just as governments have generated stimulus to keep economies going, it’s important to find innovative ways to offer people the chance to isolate safely away from others,” he said.

He noted that the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic had entered a new phase where solidarity is needed like never before. According to him, caseloads are so high in several countries that hospitals and intensive care units are filling up to dangerous levels. 

The WHO chief, however, disclosed that more than 30 countries have started vaccinating their high-risk populations with various COVID-19 vaccines.

Emphasising the need to prioritise the vaccination of health workers, Ghebreyesus said, “We owe it morally to health workers everywhere who have been fighting this pandemic around the clock for the best part of a year, to vaccinate them all as soon as possible. 

“Vaccinating health workers and those at high risk of serious disease is the fastest way to stabilise health systems, ensure all essential health services are up and running and that a truly global economic recovery can take place.

“I urge all governments to work together and live up to their commitments to equitable distribution globally and all pharmaceutical groups to boost supply as quickly as possible and to fully participate in COVAX.”

Source: healthwise punch

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