The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its call for China to provide transparency, data, and access to understand the origins of Covid 19, as the world marks five years since Chinese authorities first reported cases of a “viral pneumonia” in Wuhan.
A Call for Cooperation and Transparency
In a statement released on Monday, the WHO emphasized the necessity of global cooperation to prevent future pandemics.
“We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of Covid-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative,” the WHO stated.
The Covid 19 pandemic, which has claimed over seven million lives, disrupted economies, and overwhelmed healthcare systems, remains a pivotal moment in modern history.
“Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics,” the statement added.
China’s Response
Beijing rejected the WHO’s implications, asserting that it had been forthcoming with information since the beginning of the outbreak.
Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, said,
“Five years ago… China immediately shared epidemic information and viral gene sequence with the WHO and the international community. Without holding anything back, we shared our prevention, control, and treatment experience, making a huge contribution to the international community’s pandemic-fighting work.”
Remembering the Milestone
The WHO highlighted December 31, 2019, as a key date when its China office identified reports from Wuhan regarding “viral pneumonia.”
“As we mark this milestone, let’s take a moment to honor the lives changed and lost, recognize those who are suffering from Covid 19 and Long Covid, express gratitude to the health workers who sacrificed so much to care for us, and commit to learning from Covid-19 to build a healthier tomorrow,” the statement read.
Preparedness for Future Pandemics
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reflected on the global readiness to handle another pandemic, acknowledging both progress and ongoing challenges:
“If the next pandemic arrived today, the world would still face some of the same weaknesses and vulnerabilities that gave Covid-19 a foothold five years ago. But the world has also learned many of the painful lessons the pandemic taught us and has taken significant steps to strengthen its defenses against future epidemics and pandemics.”
Progress Toward a Pandemic Treaty
In December 2021, spurred by the devastation of Covid 19, WHO member states began drafting an international treaty on pandemic prevention and preparedness. Despite significant progress, key disagreements remain, particularly between wealthier nations with major pharmaceutical industries and poorer nations concerned about equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
The treaty’s unresolved issues include:
- Obligations for countries to rapidly share emerging pathogens.
- Equitable distribution of vaccines and other pandemic-fighting resources.
The deadline for finalizing the treaty is set for May 2025.
As the world remembers the events of five years ago, the WHO and global leaders continue to push for greater cooperation and lessons learned to prevent history from repeating itself.
