3.3 Public health preparedness and response – WHPA

WHO Executive Board 142
WMA Joint Intervention on 3.3 – Public health preparedness and response; WHO’s work in
health emergencies
Honourable Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates,
Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the World Medical Association (WMA),
supported by the World Health Professions Alliance (WHPA), representing over 31 million
physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and physical therapists in more than 130 countries.
We welcome the Director General’s report on WHO’s work in Health Emergencies.
We are alarmed not only by the number and severity of emergencies, but also by the fact that
healthcare professionals and facilities are increasingly attacked during situations of armed
conflict – a clear violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. We urge those
involved in conflicts to protect civilians as well as healthcare capacities, and to respect the ethical
obligation of health personnel to treat all patients, irrespective of who they are. We call for the
implementation of the Ethical Principles of Health Care in Times of Armed Conflict and other
Emergencies endorsed by civilian and military healthcare organizations in 2015. We urge
governments to fulfil their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law and
to implement the UN Security Council Resolution 2286 condemning attacks and threats against
medical personnel and facilities in conflicts situations and demanding an end to impunity for
those responsible.
Furthermore, we strongly recommend:
• to facilitate research into the timeliness and effectiveness of international interventions, so
that planning and interventions in future health emergencies are be better informed;
• to develop collaboration with health professional organizations to ensure that accurate and
timely clinical care guidelines are available to healthcare providers; and
• WHO and other UN agencies working with governments and relevant partners, as infections
emerge or reemerge, to continue to ensure that accessible information is available to all
people in the affected zone, in particular on disease prevention, optimal hygiene and infection
control practices.
Thank you.