GLOBAL EMERGENCY

What is Global Emergency?

Global Emergency can also be termed in other ways as a Public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

WHO defines a Global Emergency- formally, a Public health emergency of international concern- as “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response.”

Who imposes Global Emergency?

The responsibility of determining an event to fall under the category of Global Emergency lies with the WHO Director-General.

It constitutes of convening :

1. A committee of experts
2. IHR (International Health Regulatory) Emergency Committee

The committee advises the Director-General on various measures to be taken on an Emergency basis which is known as Temporary recommendations. These recommendations include :

1. Health measures to be taken by the State party encountering PHEIC.
2. Other State parties to prevent bad reduce the spread of disease globally.
3. Avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic.

When is Global Emergency declared?

PHEIC or Global Emergency is formulated during

• Any situation that arises is a very serious health concern of the public.
• It is sudden and unexpected.
• It is unusual.

Its effects are beyond the state’s national borders and widespread of the health issue to all the other states globally.

The emergency is declared when it requires immediate international action.

How is Global Emergency declared?

An Emergency Committee (EC) publicizes a Declaration of Global Emergency under International Health Regulations (IHR), made up of International experts, which was developed after the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) Outbreak of 2002/2003.

Why is Global Emergency declared?

Global Emergency is declared when there is a serious outbreak of the existing or novel disease in any area of the state internationally and to prevent its outspread to the neighboring or to any other states.

Where is Global Emergency declared?

Global Emergency is declared by WHO. Its headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

The declaration is centered based on the state in which its outbreak happened.

What are the consequences of Global Emergency?

The Director-General of WHO declares the Global Emergency to offer various recommendations which could prevent the widespread of disease and find the appropriate measures to fight against the disease outbreaks.

He has the power to prevent the spread of disease by :

1. Imposing restrictions on travel advisories or restrictions
2. Allow them to review public health measures in the affected countries.

Declarations of Global Emergencies :

Till now, there were 6 Global Emergency declarations. They are as follows -

1. 2009: Swine flu Declaration
2. 2014: Polio Declaration
3. 2014: Ebola Declaration
4. 2016: Zika virus Declaration
5. 2018- 2020 : Kivu Ebola Declaration
6. 2020: novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Declaration

(images courtesy: google.com)

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