WHO meet to consider India-backed proposal for probe into Covid response

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 17

The crucial General Assembly of the World Health Organisation (WHO) will meet for two days from Monday to consider an India-backed resolution seeking an impartial and independent evaluation of the institution’s role in the current pandemic.

The list of countries backing the resolution makes it clear that the intent is not to target WHO DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Among the countries that have co-sponsored the resolution are ones that would not lend weight to an anti-China resolution.

Bangladesh, Belarus, Indonesia, Mozambique, Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Zambia are some of the co-sponsors whose interest in WHO are more wide-ranging.

However, there will be considerable heat as all heads of delegation will address the Assembly. It will also consider a proposal relating to electing a new DG.

The probe sought by over 60 countries is one among large number of proposals mentioned in the exhaustive seven-page resolution. The resolution has at times applauded the WHO’s efforts and appreciated its role in controlling the pandemic in developing countries, especially Africa whose 53 countries have tended to back Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian.

The resolution has also sought details of actions of WHO and its timelines for the Covid. Indicating that the countries behind the proposal were not entirely satisfied with WHO, they have sought a report on improving global pandemic prevention, preparedness and response capacity.

The resolution has become the talking point ahead of the General Assembly meeting after a concerted campaign to include Taiwan as an observer does not seem to have received traction.

The WHO was thrust into global power politics after US President Donald Trump accused Ghebreyesus of being complicit with China when it delayed reporting the pandemic. Ghebreyesus became DG in a divided polity, as for the first time, multiple candidates stood for the post in 2017.

The US candidate lost to the current incumbent because of the backing from China and the developing countries.

Ghebreyesus has tried to restore a balance between representation of developing and developed countries in the WHO. Its Geneva-based headquarters, which employs one-third of its total staff, had only 25.1 per cent from developing countries. The percentage has risen to 26.5 per cent after one year of a four-year campaign.

Staff from developed countries has a high ratio in regional offices such as South East Asia offices (30 per cent). But reciprocation was absent in the Europe offices till the WHO DG started the program. Since then the percentage has risen from 19.1 per cent to 24.6 per cent.

The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of WHO, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies and approve the proposed programme budget.