World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the importance of stronger health systems and the investment in health for all people.
The pandemic has shown again, and in the strongest way possible, that investing in health is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.
The WHO chief stressed that funding quality health for all doesn’t just save lives, it can also mean that children are healthy and can go to school, people can go to work to earn a living and societies and economies are both stronger and more sustainable. When countries implement a comprehensive strategy they can effectively contain and suppress the spread of the virus, while minimising the impact on lives and livelihoods.
The WHO chief has rightly said that he is looking forward to greeting and working with leaders from across the world to ensure that together they optimise the COVID-19 response and build back stronger health systems. All eyes will be on the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly to be held in Geneva virtually on 18 May, where many crucial decisions will be taken.