(CU)_The Coronavirus pandemic has put immense pressure on health systems across the globe, particularly those of developing nations, whose progress over the past 20 years have been brought to a stop by the global health crisis. However, it is not only COVID-19 which has had a significant impact on the Commonwealth. The association has been disproportionately affected by a number of preventable diseases, member states accounting for 56 per cent of the world’s malaria deaths, 40 per cent of global cervical cancer incidence and 43 per cent of cervical cancer mortality, despite having only 30 per cent of the global population.
In a major step in addressing this crisis, the Commonwealth Secretariat on Monday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Health Organization (WHO), with the aim of strengthening their collaboration on a host of public health issues which particularly concern Commonwealth member states. The agreement, signed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, is directed towards collaborating on the response to vaccine equity, the COVID-19 pandemic and building resilient health systems.
In the signing document, the parties agreed to work together to promote universal health coverage and primary healthcare, Strengthen global health security, promote healthy environments, transform lifelong learning for health impact and the exchange of knowledge.
“Equitable access to vaccines is the world’s most pressing political, economic, social and moral priority. Without effective and prompt action on vaccines, we face a never-ending global health crisis that will reduce all of our wealth and security,” the Commonwealth Secretary-General said is her address. “And the most effective way for the world to tackle this and other challenges that we face, whether COVID-19, climate change or universal health coverage, is by working through multilateral institutions such as the Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organization.” She added that the MoU signed between the two organisations demonstrates their shared vision for cooperation and action on these challenges.
“Partnership is essential in ensuring all people can achieve the highest level of health possible. The new agreement between the World Health Organization and the Commonwealth Secretariat reflects the importance of collaboration to promote and protect people’s wellbeing,” Dr Tedros said during the signing ceremony. “WHO’s commitment to supporting all Commonwealth countries will be strengthened through our commitment to promoting universal health coverage, global health security and ensuring vulnerable groups receive all support needed to lead healthy lives.”
