Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

The WHO was indispensable during COVID-19 as a coordinator of science, guidance and vaccine equity, but it was too weak to enforce global health security. COVAX delivered nearly two billion doses, yet the WHO delayed its emergency alarm and lacked any power to compel states.

**Introduction**

Global health security rests on the International Health Regulations (2005), with the WHO as custodian. The Independent Panel (Sirleaf and Clark, 2021) called COVID-19 a preventable disaster, faulting both the WHO's slow alarm and member states.

**WHO's Contribution to Global Health Security**

SKETCH: timeline | WHO's COVID-19 Response
- 31 Dec 2019 :: Wuhan cluster reported
- 30 Jan 2020 :: Emergency declared (PHEIC)
- 11 Mar 2020 :: Pandemic declared
- Apr 2020 :: ACT-Accelerator launched
- Feb 2021 :: First COVAX deliveries
- May 2025 :: Pandemic Agreement adopted

1. **Guidance**: It circulated the virus genome, testing protocols and clinical guidance that poorer health systems, lacking their own expert bodies, relied upon.
2. **Science Coordination**: Its multi-country Solidarity Trial showed remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine did little to cut mortality, saving scarce money.
3. **Equity in Access**: COVAX, with Gavi and CEPI, delivered nearly two billion doses, and Emergency Use Listing cleared Covishield and Covaxin.

**Gaps in WHO's Pandemic Response**

1. **Delayed Alarm**: Its Emergency Committee declined to declare an emergency in late January 2020, and early statements leaned on China's assurances.
2. **Shifting Advice**: Public masking was advised only in June 2020, and airborne spread was accepted late.
3. **No Enforcement Power**: The IHR let the WHO advise but not compel, so states withheld data and defied travel advice.
4. **Funding and Politics**: Assessed contributions form under a fifth of its budget, the US announced withdrawal in 2020, and by April 2021 low-income countries had received only about 0.2% of doses.

**Conclusion**

The WHO was indispensable as scientific and equity coordinator but too weak to enforce health security. The 2024 IHR amendments and the 2025 Pandemic Agreement help, but only stable funding and member-state compliance will make health security a global public good.

Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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