Draft Pandemic Treaty

Why in news?

• The Draft Pandemic Treaty also known as ‘Zero Draft’, is currently under negotiation by Member States at the World Health Assembly.
• However, there is growing concern that the provisions addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are at risk of being removed from the final text.

About Draft Pandemic Treaty:

• The draft pandemic treaty is an international agreement proposed to address pandemics and global health emergencies.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) and member states are involved in negotiations for the treaty.
• The primary goal of the treaty is to enhance global cooperation and solidarity in dealing with health threats.
• It encompasses various areas such as surveillance, detection, notification, access to health technologies, collaboration, and accountability.
• It establishes key entities like a global health threats council, a global health threats fund, and an independent review and evaluation mechanism.

Components:

• Global Coordination and Cooperation:
  • Calls for increased global coordination and cooperation in preparing for and responding to pandemics and global health emergencies.
• Strengthening Health Systems:
  • Emphasizes the need to strengthen health systems in all countries, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to enhance preparedness for pandemics and global health emergencies.
• Access to Health Technologies:
  • Calls for improved access to essential health technologies.
• Transparency and Information Sharing:
  • Calls for increased transparency and sharing of information related to pandemics and global health emergencies.
  • Emphasizes the sharing of data on disease spread and the effectiveness of interventions.
• Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System (PABS):
  • Establishment of PABS under the WHO to ensure equitable sharing of genomic sequences of all potentially pandemic pathogens.
  • It aims to promote responsible and fair use of pathogens and their genetic resources in the development of medicines and vaccines, while respecting the rights and interests of providing countries and communities.
• Gender Equality in Healthcare:
  • Addresses gender disparities in the healthcare workforce.
  • Highlights equal pay and the removal of barriers specific to women in assuming leadership roles.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following is/are the components of Pandemic Treaty negotiated under WHO?

1. Promoting responsible and fair use of pathogens and their genetic resources

2. Addressing gender disparities in the healthcare workforce

3. Waiver of TRIPS obligations to address shortages of products required for the prevention, control and treatment of Pandemic

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer