PD 05 - Global Health Security

In recent years, global health security has received increased attention. The Ebola outbreak brought attention to the weaknesses in the systems of preparedness and response. In order to deal with these gaps a number of steps were taken. WHO has committed to improve its emergencies program, while private initiatives have also been developed. Regional organizations such as the EU and the African Union have increased their resolve to address global health security challenges.
Yet despite these initiatives, the world is not ready for the next pandemic. Furthermore, some low-income countries perceive the health security agenda as a device for protecting the developed world from health threats arising from the under-developed world, thereby only advancing the interests of the West. There is much work to be done in gaining universal acceptance of the global health security agenda and improving collaboration between international, regional and national actors.
However, health security involves more than just infectious disease outbreaks. Health security is also part of wider health systems strengthening and Universal Health Coverage activities, but it is not yet clear how to best synergise these overlapping areas.
Improving global health security is first and foremost a political endeavour. More commitment is required from beyond ministries of health; heads of state across the globe must prioritise health as a political and security issue as well as a medical one.