World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus while delivering his report to the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva warned the world for the next pandemic, which might be “even deadlier” than the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tedros said, “The end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency is not the end of COVID-19 as a global health threat.”

“The threat of another variant emerging that causes new surges of disease and death remains, and the threat of another pathogen emerging with even deadlier potential remains,” he added.

WHO chief’s statement comes days after WHO declared Covid-19 was no longer a global emergency.

Furthermore, in the face of overlapping and converging crises, “pandemics are far from the only threat we face”, the WHO head added, underscoring the need for effective global mechanisms that address and respond to emergencies of all kinds.

He said that when the next pandemic comes knocking – and “it will – we must be ready to answer decisively, collectively, and equitably”.?

Tedros said Covid-19 had significant implications for health-related targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have a deadline of 2030. 

The pandemic also affected progress towards the Triple Billion targets, announced at the 2017 World Health Assembly.

The 10-day annual World Health Assembly in Geneva coincides with WHO's 75th anniversary. It aims to address global health challenges, including future pandemics.

Source-Hindustan Times