WHA73-WMA statement on Emergencies-Item 13.2 final

THE WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.
L’ASSOCIATION MEDICALE MONDIALE, INC
ASOCIACION MEDICA MUNDIAL, INC
Centre International de Bureaux FEIN : 13-2566243
Immeuble A « Keynes » Website : www.wma.net Postal Address :
13, chemin du Levant Telephone : (33) 4 50 40 75 75 Boîte Postale 63
01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Fax : (33) 4 50 40 59 37 01210 FERNEY-VOLTAIRE Cedex
France E-mail address : wma@wma.net France
9 November 2020
73rd World Health Assembly (resumed)
Agenda item 13.2: WHO’s work in health emergencies
Distinguished Delegates,
Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the World Medical Association, which
represents more than 9 million physicians globally.
We welcome the draft resolution EB146.R10 recommended by WHO Executive Board for adoption
by the 73rd
WHA, and in particular, the references in the preamble to increasing attacks on medical
personnel and facilities, to WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care and to the vital
role of a strong health workforce in all phases of health emergencies.
We regret however the lack of consistency between those references and the action items included
in the core text of the resolution that fail to include tangible assurances addressing the critical
challenges of health personnel on the frontline. We emphasize, in particular, the ethical dilemmas
that health professionals experience in emergency contexts that include, but are not limited to, the
protection of civilians and healthcare capacities and the respect of medical neutrality. These
complex issues constitute essential requirements of an adequate public health emergency policy.
We urge Members States to consider including the following commitments in the resolution:
– Promoting and implementing of the Ethical Principles of Health Care in Times of Armed
Conflict and other Emergencies, endorsed by civilian and military healthcare organizations in
2015.
– Implementing the UN Security Council Resolution 2286, condemning attacks and threats
against medical personnel and facilities in conflict situations and enforcing adequate
accountability mechanism against perpetrators.
– Developing adequate education for the health workforce to ensure rapid detection and response
to health emergencies and prevention of epidemics and pandemics.
– Ensuring the security of the supply chain of personal protective equipment for all health
personnel on the frontline;
– Providing to WHO the necessary support to fulfil its leadership role in documenting attacks on
health personnel and facilities.
Thank you.