WHO's Role in Global Health Security During Covid-19

Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic.

How to Approach

This question requires a critical assessment of the WHO’s performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The answer should move beyond a simple descriptive account and evaluate both its successes and failures. Structure the answer by first outlining the WHO’s expected roles in global health security, then detailing its actions during the pandemic (early response, information dissemination, vaccine equity), followed by a critical analysis of its shortcomings and strengths. Conclude with suggestions for improvement. Focus on objectivity and avoid overly strong opinions.

The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948, is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. Its core mandate is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge to global health security, testing the WHO’s capabilities and revealing both its strengths and weaknesses. The pandemic exposed critical gaps in pandemic preparedness and response, prompting a re-evaluation of the WHO’s role and effectiveness in a rapidly globalizing world. This answer will critically examine the WHO’s performance during this period, analyzing its successes, failures, and areas for improvement.

The WHO’s Mandate and Initial Response

The International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, legally binding on 196 countries, outline the WHO’s core functions in global health security. These include surveillance, risk assessment, and coordinating international responses to public health emergencies. Initially, the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020, recognizing the severity of the outbreak in Wuhan, China. However, its early response was criticized for being slow and overly reliant on information provided by China.

Key Actions During the Pandemic

Information Dissemination: The WHO provided regular updates on the virus, its transmission, and prevention measures. It developed technical guidance for countries on testing, treatment, and infection control.
Research and Development: The WHO coordinated the global research effort to develop vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, launched in April 2020, aimed to accelerate the development and equitable access to these tools.
COVAX Initiative: A key component of the ACT Accelerator, COVAX aimed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, particularly for low- and middle-income countries.
Surveillance and Data Collection: The WHO established a global surveillance network to track the spread of the virus and monitor the emergence of new variants.

Critical Analysis: Shortcomings and Strengths

Shortcomings

Delayed Declaration of PHEIC: Critics argue the WHO should have declared a PHEIC earlier, potentially allowing for a faster global response.
Over-reliance on China: The WHO was accused of being overly deferential to China in the early stages of the pandemic, accepting its information without independent verification.
Inequitable Vaccine Distribution: Despite the COVAX initiative, vaccine distribution remained highly inequitable, with high-income countries securing the majority of doses. As of December 2021, only 5.6% of people in low-income countries had been fully vaccinated, compared to 67.5% in high-income countries. (Source: Our World in Data, knowledge cutoff 2023)
Limited Enforcement Powers: The WHO lacks the authority to independently investigate outbreaks or compel countries to comply with its recommendations.

Strengths

Technical Expertise: The WHO provided valuable technical guidance to countries on managing the pandemic.
Coordination Role: The WHO played a crucial role in coordinating the global response, bringing together governments, researchers, and manufacturers.
Advocacy for Vaccine Equity: The WHO consistently advocated for equitable access to vaccines and other essential medical supplies.
Maintaining Global Attention: The WHO kept the pandemic on the global agenda, mobilizing resources and raising awareness.

Reform Efforts and Future Preparedness

The pandemic prompted calls for reforms to the WHO, including strengthening its surveillance capabilities, increasing its funding, and granting it greater enforcement powers. The Special Session of the World Health Assembly in November 2021 resulted in agreement to begin negotiations on a pandemic treaty aimed at strengthening global pandemic preparedness and response.

Additional Resources

Key Definitions

PHEIC

Public Health Emergency of International Concern. A PHEIC is declared by the WHO when an extraordinary event constitutes a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and potentially requires a coordinated international response.

IHR (2005)

International Health Regulations (2005). A legally binding international agreement involving 196 countries to prevent and respond to acute public health risks of international concern.

Key Statistics

Global COVID-19 deaths as of December 2023 exceeded 7 million.

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

COVAX delivered over 1.8 billion vaccine doses to 146 countries by December 2022, but fell short of its initial goal of 2 billion doses.

Source: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (knowledge cutoff 2023)

Examples

Taiwan’s Early Response

Taiwan, despite not being a WHO member, implemented robust containment measures early in the pandemic, including strict border controls and widespread testing, resulting in significantly lower infection and mortality rates compared to many other countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Why was the WHO criticized for its relationship with China?

The WHO was criticized for initially accepting China’s narrative about the severity of the outbreak and for delaying the declaration of a PHEIC, potentially due to political considerations and a desire to maintain a cooperative relationship with China.