WHO: World economies are not prepared for new epidemics

The first report of the “Health Economics Council for All” has been published, which was created by the Director General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in 2020 to combat the Covid-19 and evaluates the economies from the perspective of the “health to all”.

Ghebreyesus, who made assessments of the report at the press conference held at the UN Office in Geneva, in November 2020, to rethink and implement economic policies in the field of health, Prof. recalled that he announced the creation of the Health Economics Council for All, chaired by Mariana Mazzucato.

Ghebreyesus said: “The council, which began its work in early 2021, has exceeded expectations with the quality and scope of the work it produces. The Council considered how best to measure economic development and proposed ideas on how to better finance innovation and build capacity to deliver health for all.” saying.

Referring to some key points in the report, Ghebreyesus noted that the report advises the world to stop using gross domestic product (GDP) to measure progress, noting that this calculation does not take into account the large resources that go into non-profit work. paid, often supporting economic and social activities.

“The report calls for funding to ensure that health is adequate and sustainable in the long term. The council also points out that innovation works when there are effective partnerships between the public and private sectors. ” used the phrase.

“HEALTH SYSTEMS GLOBALLY HAVE A HUGE FINANCIAL DEFICIT”

The President of the Council, Mazzucato, affirmed that they are working effectively in the Kovid-19 process for the preparation of the report.

Underlining that although Kovid-19 is said to be over, the epidemic was not ended by interconnected crises, Mazzucato stated that crises in the financial, health and climate fields are also related to the epidemic.

“We know that we will face more epidemics,” Mazzucato said. For example, new viruses will emerge as frozen soils melt. Are we more prepared than before for new viruses (epidemics)? (In terms of global economies) The Council report says ‘no’ to that. Because we don’t take everyone’s health seriously and we don’t design business models “. He said.

Pointing out that management structures are not designed to include everyone in the health field, Mazzucato also emphasized that public-private partnerships are not designed for results.

“There is a huge funding gap in healthcare systems globally,” Mazzucato said. We discuss the changes needed to design an economy that provides health for all, including the patent structure, public-private partnerships, and budgets. In our report, we call for a new economic policy, not about market fixing, but about proactive and collaborative shaping of markets that put human and global health first.” he said.

According to the report, ensuring health for all requires reinvesting in government capacity, a new ecosystem of health innovations that prioritizes the common interest, and increased funding, and higher-quality funding. (AA)