UN Secretary-General António Guterre (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Recalling heavy impacts of the pandemic on various aspects, the official stressed that the COVID-19 will not be the last epidemic orpandemic humanity faces, so the international community must “heed the harshlessons of COVID-19 and make bold investments in pandemic preparedness,prevention and response”.
“We need better surveillance to detect and monitor viruseswith epidemic potential. We need more resilient health systems supported byuniversal health coverage. And we need a health workforce that is well-trained,well-equipped and well-paid,” Guterres said.
“We also need equitable access to vaccines, treatments,diagnostics and life-saving technology for all countries,” he added.
Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) TedrosAdhanom Ghebreyesus sent a video message to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, inwhich he thanked Vietnam for taking the lead in proposing the establishment of theInternational Day for Disease Prevention and Control, and appreciated thecountry's commitments, efforts, leading role and cooperation for a healthierand safer world.
Congratulating the Vietnamese Government and people for successfully controlling the pandemic, the WHO leader called on countries totake necessary measures to prepare, detect and respond quickly to future epidemicsand pandemics. He affirmed that in the coming years, his organisation willgive priority to supporting countries to improve their health capacity at thenational and local levels.
The UN General Assembly approved Vietnam’s initiative with aresolution proclaiming December 27 as the International Day of EpidemicPreparedness during its 75th session on December 7, 2020. Theresolution was also co-sponsored by 112 nations./.
VNA
