Kehinde Adegoke | Agency Report
Abuja – The world remains dangerously unprepared for the next pandemic, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned at the close of the 79th World Health Assembly.
Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus called on Member States to urgently finalise a key agreement, stressing that, without swift action, global health security is at risk.
The warning comes as public interest in prediction markets, such as Polymarket, signals growing anxiety over major health policy decisions.
During closing remarks at the 79th World Health Assembly, Ghebreyesus stated, “Without the PABS annex, the world is not truly ready for the next pandemic,” mentioning past Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks.
He said the week-long assembly adopted resolutions on diagnostic imaging, emergency care, haemophilia, neglected tropical diseases, precision medicine, radiation, stroke, transplantation, and tuberculosis, alongside reforms targeting the global health architecture.
Ghebreyesus thanked Assembly President Dr Victor Atallah and committee chairs Dr Timur Sultangaziyev and Ghana’s Health Minister Mintah Akandoh for guiding deliberations covering technical, political and administrative matters throughout the gathering.
He said the Assembly demonstrated progress despite outbreaks, conflict, uncertainty, and limited resources, emphasising that resolutions mattered only when they improved clinics, protected communities, strengthened households, and enabled the detection of outbreaks.
Ghebreyesus referred to the 2025 pandemic agreement as significant, urging Member States to approve increased assessed contributions. He stated that predictable funding would help ensure the WHO remains effective during emergencies.
Ghebreyesus addressed suggestions of institutional decline, stating, “This is not an organisation in crisis,” and added that WHO is proceeding with confidence and enhancing its ability to respond globally.
