Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Taking cognizance of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the healthcare system and economy of the world, the WHO director-general urged leaders of the world to invest in better healthcare schemes. In a press conference on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr. Tedros Adhanom, WHO director-general said that nations such as New Zealand, Rwanda, and many island states across the Caribbean and the Pacific were able to put a halt to the coronavirus pandemic, because of the careful and calculated steps taken by their leaders. 

Dr. Tedros Adhanom, WHO DG, lauded Rwanda’s leader and said “Combination of strong leadership, universal health coverage, well-supported health workers and clear public health communications are the reason behind Rwanda’s success in controlling the pandemic. All testing and treatment for COVID-19 are free in Rwanda, so there are no financial barriers to people getting tested. And when people test positive for the virus, they’re isolated and health workers then visit every potential contact and test them also. This means that where there are cases, the government can quickly implement targeted measures and focus control efforts where they are needed the most.”

The WHO DG further added, “I want to be clear, there are green shoots of hope and no matter where a country, a region, a city, or a town is – it’s never too late to turn the outbreak around. There are two essential elements to addressing the pandemic effectively: Leaders must step up to take action and citizens need to embrace new measures.”

The WHO DG further lauded the attempts of New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, for her attempts in controlling the pandemic. New Zealand had recently celebrated 100 days with no community transmission. However, the government has still asked its citizens to remain cautious.

Dr. Adhanom, WHO DG, also said that countries such as France, the UK, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Spain, and Italy were successful in putting a halt to the deadly virus after taking necessary measures. He said, “Over the last few days, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson put areas of Northern England under stay at the home notification, as clusters of cases were identified. In France, President Macron introduced compulsory masking in busy outdoor spaces of Paris in response to an increase in cases.”

According to WHO, utilizing every tool at a country’s disposal in addition to other safety measures can help prevent any resurgence in disease and allow the safe reopening of the society. The WHO DG also said, “Chains of transmission has been broken by the combination of rapid case identification, comprehensive contact tracing, adequate clinical care for patients, physical distancing, mask-wearing, regular cleaning of hands and coughing away from others. Whether countries or regions have successfully eliminated the virus, suppressed the transmission to a low level, or are still in the midst of a major outbreak; now is the time to do it all, invest in the basics of public health and we can save both lives and livelihoods.”

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