MSF statement at WHA Special Session, 29 Nov - 1 Dec 2021

MSF delivered the following statement at the Special Session of the World Health Assembly (WHA), 29 November to 1 December 2021:

Médecins Sans Frontières would like to make the following points, noting the importance of taking into account the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic and previous epidemics:

• We need to take a principled people-centred approach and to prioritise meaningful participation with affected communities.
• We welcome the drive to have “equity” as the critical lens to apply – but we need to turn this from principles into concrete enforceable actions.
• We need to address better the pandemic “response” in the context of emergencies and to address the collateral impacts, including the diversion of resources and impacts on health services. Any mechanism established for responding to outbreaks should include the humanitarian actors, taking into account the humanitarian principles, flexibility, evidence-based approach, proportionality, duty of care and do no harm.
• We call for an open, transparent and inclusive process – in which civil society organizations are able to participate and contribute actively.