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Keynote speech to the world health summit 2021 – 24 october 2021, unicef executive director henrietta fore.

Excellencies, colleagues, friends … it is a pleasure to be with you here today for the World Health Summit.  

I am honoured and inspired by the spirit of collaboration among experts in science, politics, business, government and civil society represented at this Summit.   

On behalf of UNICEF, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with you now at this critical moment in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic – a pandemic which continues to impact so many aspects of our lives.   COVID-19 has hobbled economies, strained societies and undermined the prospects of the next generation. While children are not at greatest direct risk from the virus itself, they continue to suffer disproportionately from its socioeconomic consequences. Almost two years into the pandemic, a generation of children are enduring prolonged school closures and ongoing disruptions to health, protection and education services.  

That is why today I am here to discuss the health threats facing the 2.2 billion children around the world who UNICEF serves, and the opportunity we have to protect them.  

Driven by new variants of concern, the virus continues to spread. While successful vaccination campaigns in the wealthy world have driven down rates of hospitalization and death, millions in low income countries await their first dose, and fragile health systems – on which children rely – are in jeopardy.  

Yet the gap between those who have been offered vaccination against COVID-19 and those who have not is widening. While some countries have protected most of their populations, in others, less than 3 per cent of the population have had their first dose. Those going without vaccines include doctors, midwives, nurses, community health workers, teachers and social workers – the very people that children, mothers and families rely upon for the most essential services.  

This is unacceptable. As a community of global health leaders, we have a choice. We can choose to act to reach more people with vaccines. This will keep people safe AND help to sustain critical services and systems for children.  

Today, almost 7 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, less than a year since the first vaccine was approved. And we are now on track to produce enough vaccines to protect the majority of people around the world before the end of next year.  

But will we protect everyone?   

Will we send lifesaving, health-system-saving COVID-19 vaccines to the world’s doctors, nurses, and most at-risk populations?  

Will donors continue to fund ACT-A and COVAX sufficiently to procure and successfully deploy the tests, treatments and vaccines needed to end the pandemic? Or will the costs of in-country delivery fall on struggling economies so that they are forced to cut other lifesaving health programmes such as routine childhood vaccinations? 

Will we stand by as the lowest-income countries, with the most fragile health systems, carry on unprotected – risking high death rates due to shortages of tests, treatments and vaccines? Or will we invest so that community health systems everywhere can withstand further waves of the virus, and bounce back from future shocks?  

Will we allow new variants of the virus to flourish in countries with low vaccination rates? Or, will we reap the benefits of global cooperation to defeat this global problem, together?   

The world has learned that financing for prevention, preparedness and response is insufficient and not adequately coordinated. And that is a vital lesson.  

But even more fundamentally, we have learned that the underlying strength of the health sector in general is a critical factor in a country’s ability to weather a storm like COVID-19.  

After all, what good are vaccines if there is no functioning public health system to deliver them?  

How do we hope to contain outbreaks if there are not enough trained and paid healthcare workers?  

This pandemic has been crippling for high income countries where average spending on healthcare per capita exceeds $5,000. So, it is hardly surprising that it is causing critical strain in lower-income countries where the average per capita expenditure on healthcare each year is less than $100.  

The past 22 months have shown us that even as we battle immediate threats such as a pandemic, we must also ensure continuous access to essential health services. If we do not, there will be an indirect increase in morbidity and mortality.  

As COVID-19 took hold of the world, healthcare workers serving pregnant mothers, babies and children faced unthinkable choices. As COVID patients gasped for breath, desperate for oxygen, mothers and babies needed it too. As wards filled up with virus victims, staff were not free to help the very young. As health budgets were stretched to the breaking point, routine healthcare began to go by the wayside.   

These are some of the reasons why more than twice as many women and children have lost their lives for every COVID-19 death in many low and middle-income countries. Estimates from the Lancet suggest up to nearly 114,000 additional women and children died during this period.  

I greatly fear that the pandemic’s impact on children’s health is only starting to be seen.  

While the pandemic has underscored that vaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions, we have already seen backsliding in routine immunization. In 2020, over 23 million children missed out on essential vaccines – an increase of nearly 4 million from 2019, with decades of progress tragically eroded.  

Of these 23 million, 17 million of them did not receive any vaccines at all. These are the so-called zero-dose children, most of whom live in communities with multiple deprivations.       

Here are some of the most urgent choices we could make to address these problems: 

Governments can share COVID-19 doses with COVAX as a matter of absolute urgency and resist the temptation to stockpile supplies more than necessary.  

Governments can also honour their commitments to equitable access and make space for COVAX and other parts of ACT-A at the front of the supply queue for tests, treatments, and vaccines as they roll off production lines.  

Manufacturers can be more transparent about their production schedules and make greater efforts to facilitate and accelerate equitable access to products. This will help to ensure that COVAX and ACT-A get supplies faster. 

Governments, development banks, business and philanthropy can target strategic, sustainable investments in building robust and resilient primary healthcare services – embedded in each and every community.  

We can and we must choose a path ahead that is equitable, sustainable and rooted in the principle that every human being, young and old, rich and poor, has the right to good health.  

And there is good reason to believe that now is the time to set ourselves upon that path.  

A look back at history shows us that global threats and crises that challenge multiple interests and equities have a way of pulling together diverse partners to solve shared problems. Indeed, it is out of some of the most tragic crises that the world has found some of the best solutions.  

I believe now is such a time. We have a historic opportunity to both end the COVID-19 pandemic and set out on the road towards eradicating preventable diseases, ending avoidable maternal, newborn and child deaths, and building a strong foundation for community health that will serve this generation and the next.  

We can and we must seize this moment together.  

Thank you.  

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Advancing the Global Health Agenda

About the author, ilona kickbusch.

December 2011, No. 4 Vol. XLVIII, 7 Billion People, 1 United Nations, Hand in Hands

I n just over two decades, global health has gained a political visibility and status that some authors have called a political revolution. As health related issues have become a centre piece of the global agenda, significant resources in development aid have been made available to address major health problems. Global health has gained this political prominence because three agendas have reinforced one another in a variety of ways:

a security agenda driven by the fear of global pandemics or the intentional spread of disease, in an era where viruses have the potential to spread from one part of the world to another in a matter of hours;

an economic agenda, which is concerned not only with the economic impact of poor health on development or of pandemic outbreaks in the global marketplace, but increasingly considers the economic relevance of the health sector, in particular of certain industries, such as tobacco, food, and pharmaceuticals, and the growing global market of goods and services in relation to health;

a social justice agenda advocating health as a social value and human right, which includes action on the social determinants of health, access to medicines, support for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) relating to health, and the active engagement of philanthropies and civil society in a broad range of global health initiatives.

The global health agenda brings together two critical action spheres of our time: managing interdependence and globalization, and addressing the growing inequalities within and between nations through development strategies. It also lies at the intersection of many policy arenas and is subject to a special dynamic. On the one hand, poor health is frequently a consequence of other global crises such as finance, food insecurity, or climate change, while on the other hand, the whole of society bears the impact if health challenges are not well managed. Indeed, the economic consequences of governance failures in health, be they national or global, are significant; epidemics such as HIV/AIDS or disease outbreaks such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or H1N1 influenza have proven this. Poor health will hinder development or destroy any development gains which were achieved through great effort. At present, this is best illustrated through The Global Economic Burden of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), a study prepared in 2011 by the World Economic Forum and the Harvard School of Public Health, which calculated that over the next 20 years, NCDs will cost more than $30 trillion, representing 48 per cent of the global GDP in 2010, thus pushing millions of people below the poverty line. This will result in a dramatic negative impact on the productivity and quality of life in many countries and regions of the world.

THE UNITED NATIONS AND HEALTH

A series of commitments, a wide range of international health policy instruments, new organizations and initiatives, as well as a broadening of the scope of health debates have marked efforts to improve health throughout the world over the past two decades. Many of these have emerged as a response to the increasingly complex global challenges defined by rising inequalities, epidemiological and demographic transitions, double disease burdens for many countries, unexpected natural disasters, such as the tsunami that occurred in Japan and the earthquake in Haiti, or the persistence of other threats, like the far-reaching consequences of the financial crisis.

In this context, the United Nations and its specialized agency for health, the World Health Organization (WHO), have played a crucial role by exercising its constitutional functions, in particular its convening power and its normative and standard-setting work. It has been fundamental to refer major global health issues to the United Nations General Assembly in order to underline that:

health must be considered an investment in both human and economic development;

health is a central building block in fighting poverty and in ensuring sustainable development;

health security and protection is the cornerstone of human security.

With the establishment of the Millennium Development Goals, following the Millennium Summit in 2000, came the first breakthrough -- the recognition of women's and children's health, as well as infectious diseases. In 2001, the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS stated in its Declaration of Commitment that "the global HIV/AIDS epidemic is a global emergency and one of the most formidable challenges to human life and dignity, as well as to the effective enjoyment of human rights". More recently, in 2011, the United Nations held the High-Level Meeting on Non- Communicable Diseases, which resulted in a political declaration and launched the Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health.

HEALTH AT WHO

Despite significant funding problems, in recent decades WHO has worked towards the attainment of the highest possible standards of health in many ways, ranging from disease- specific programmes to overall efforts to strengthen health care systems based on primary health care. Many observers fail to realize that some of the most critical breakthroughs for global health have occurred as a result of the treaty-making power of the Organization, and through the strengthening of its normative role. Key examples include:

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO, was adopted in 2003 and entered into force in 2005. It has become one of the most rapidly and widely embraced treaties in United Nations history.

Since June 2007, states have been implementing the International Health Regulations adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2005. This legally-binding agreement provides a new framework for the coordination of the management of public health emergencies of international concern.

In 2011, WHO member States adopted the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework, which brings together member States, industry, other key stakeholders, and WHO to implement a global approach to pandemic influenza preparedness and response, improve in the sharing of knowledge concerning influenza viruses with pandemic potential, and achieve more equitable access to life-saving vaccines and medicines.

In May 2010, WHO member States adopted the Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel to address the challenge of health worker migration, especially from low-income countries with already fragile health systems. It marked the first time in 30 years that WHO member States used the constitutional authority of the Organization to develop a code, following the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in 1981.

MONEY IS NOT ENOUGH

Global health is far more multifaceted than is often perceived, and requires more than development aid to achieve. In a global world, we need an integrated approach which includes action on social determinants, social protection, the support for major health care programmes at the local and country level, and the global agreements and commitments necessary to address the responsibilities and approaches of the many actors involved. One of the key challenges that global health faces at this point in time is the need to integrate the many laudable health initiatives which often run parallel to the health systems of the countries concerned. We still have a long way to go from the country ownership that was agreed upon in the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action.

Too frequently, the global health debate is dominated by concentrating on the funding gap. For example, one calculation indicates that an extra $250 billion would be needed to reach the health MDGs over the next 5 to 10 years, of which $70 billion would come from donors. A much needed shift in perspective requires:

donors and countries to put more effort into developing domestic financing structures for health that are fair and sustainable;

national development strategies that counteract fragmented, short-term, and unpredictable aid for health;

social protection to be addressed with new urgency, as out-of-pocket payment for health care pushes people under the poverty line;

better use of the resources provided;

different sectors of government to work together to promote health nationally and internationally.

However, these remain difficult without the commitment and political will of the ruling elites. A case in point is the glob- al NCD challenge, which requires whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. Mounting evidence highlights how millions of deaths can be averted and economic losses reduced by billions; but progress requires action in many policy arenas, such as social policy, urban development, taxation, and education. Population-based measures for reducing tobacco and harmful alcohol use, as well as unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, are estimated to cost $2 billion per year for all low- and middle-income countries which, in fact, translates to less than $0.40 per person.

MORE VOICES FOR HEALTH -- MORE SKILLS TO NEGOTIATE

More actors want to have their voices heard on global health matters at the national and international level. The number of organizations active in health at the global level has increased considerably, and many of them are exploring innovative financing and governance models. Such new actors include the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS; and the GAVI Alliance. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and others like it, have changed the face of global health through significant financial contributions and a new approach to venture philanthropy, looking for innovation that supports the poorest. The private sector, first challenged by the UN Global Compact, has become active in new ways and is now involved in a myriad of health initiatives, including the United Nations debate on NCDs. A growing number of countries and regional organizations, such as the European Union, are developing an active stance in matters pertaining to global health. These new voices are heard during the debates on the reform of WHO, which is currently under way. They raise questions such as how can more stakeholders be involved? How can the voices of civil society be heard? How should the United Nations Organization deal with the private sector?

At the national level, the diversity of global health issues has gradually brought ministries of health, foreign affairs, security, economics, and development into a new dialogue. Global health today requires a skill mix of technical health knowledge, negotiating expertise, as well as awareness about geopolitical constellations, overlapping alliances, and trade and economic implications, to mention just a few. Some countries have begun to train negotiators in global health diplomacy and have introduced formal global health strategies to guide their actions in the global arena. This now includes not only WHO, but other international venues, such as the World Trade Organization, the Human Rights Council, and the Group of Twenty (G20) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors. The proposal of a financial transaction tax, for example, has long been on the agenda of health advocates in order to secure sustainable financing for health programmes.

Since 2008, the relationship between health and foreign policy is changing, as highlighted in the UN General Assembly resolution on Global Health and Foreign Policy. A group of foreign ministers have proposed that foreign policy apply a health lens, and that the protection of health interests should not necessarily be mutually exclusive with other core interests of countries. There are increasing opportunities where foreign policy interests can support health, and the initiatives by many emerging economies in South-South programmes are a good example of this. Finding mutually beneficial synergies between countries is critical in order to move the global health agenda forward.

THE INDISPENSABLE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Global health deals with a wide range of concerns and tensions, not only between countries but between sectors, and between many different actors and interests. The growing complexity calls for better global health governance, including better coherence among multiple initiatives, clear distribution of responsibilities, and more transparency and accountability. The resulting debate revolves around key questions regarding where the leadership and authority on global health should lie, who should be involved, and what legitimate roles different actors could have, so that the potential of each of the diverse players can be utilized for the benefit of all. Who better to take on this challenge than the United Nations?

The UN Chronicle  is not an official record. It is privileged to host senior United Nations officials as well as distinguished contributors from outside the United Nations system whose views are not necessarily those of the United Nations. Similarly, the boundaries and names shown, and the designations used, in maps or articles do not necessarily imply endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

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General Assembly Pledges Improved Response to Global Health Challenges, Adopting Declarations on Pandemic Prevention, Universal Coverage, Fighting Tuberculosis

The General Assembly today committed to tackle several major global health challenges, adopting three declarations that laid out measures to better prepare for and respond to pandemics, give everyone access to health coverage and care for people suffering from tuberculosis.

Several delegates said the wide-ranging declarations — the outcome of a series of high-level meetings at UN Headquarters from 20‑22 September — disregard the effects of unilateral coercive measures on global health, while others expressed their disappointment that the language on sexual and reproductive rights was not stronger.

In the declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, the Assembly committed to scaling up efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation at the highest political levels, and committed to work to make access to pandemic-related products — such as vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics — timely, sustainable and equitable.

Through a declaration on universal health coverage, the 193‑member body pledged to bolster efforts to achieve the health-related Sustainable Development Goals and to expedite the achievement of universal health coverage by 2030.  To do so, the Assembly resolved to address the global shortfall of 523 million people without access to quality health care, medicines and services, and to reverse the trend of rising catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure by 2030.

A third declaration, on tuberculosis, laid out commitments to increase international cooperation to advance research and innovation; to strengthen financial and social protections for people affected by the disease and to alleviate the health-related financial burden experienced by those affected and their families.  The Assembly also promised to mobilize financing for tuberculosis research with an aim of reaching $5 billion a year by 2027.

More than 25 speakers today expressed their position before and after the adoption by consensus of today’s resolutions, through which they endorsed the political declarations.  While hailing the declarations as a show of international solidarity to achieve the third Sustainable Development Goal on good health and well-being, many delegates said that while they joined the consensus, they also disagreed with several parts of the texts.

The representative of Cuba, speaking for the Group of 77 and China, said the take-it-or-leave-it attitude of the negotiations doesn’t reflect a spirit of multilateralism, describing it as unacceptable and discriminatory that language on tuberculosis was weakened to accommodate one delegation over the concerns of the largest group in the United Nations. The aspiration and concerns of developing countries should not be ignored, he said.

The United States’ delegate expressed regret that language on sexual and reproductive health rights was not strengthened — a point echoed by the speaker for the United Kingdom — and further expressed concern with references in that text relating to trade and technology transfer and terminology on equal pay for equal work.

The Syrian representative said some Western countries politicized the process and that the concerns of several delegations weren’t considered.  “We cannot consider these declarations consensual if they leave a large part of our populations behind,” he said, and noted that because of unilateral coercive measures, many Syrian facilities are not operational and the provision of vaccinations and medicines has been hampered, especially after the earthquake.

The representative of Algeria said there were gaps between the views of countries in the North and the South and that the negotiations placed pressure on developing countries.  He regretted that certain language on the role of the family was not included in the declaration on tuberculosis, and that the three adopted texts lacked language on the impact of unilateral coercive measures.

Nicaragua’s delegate said that less than a week ago the Assembly witnessed a similar situation:  the proposals of the affected countries of the Global South were once again ignored.  These three declarations are incomplete and exclude millions of people who are shut out from their right to development, he said, adding:  How can those countries imposing unilateral coercive measures say they care about “leaving no one behind”.

The speaker for Belarus added that the World Health Organization (WHO) should play a stronger role in the global health infrastructure and consider the impact of these measures.

Also today, the Assembly adopted a resolution, recommended by its Fifth Committee, by which it agreed that the failure of Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia to pay the full minimum amount of their budgetary assessments — necessary to avoid the application of Article 19 of the Charter — was due to conditions beyond their control.  The Assembly decided to permit those three States to vote until the end of its seventy-eighth session.

Scale of assessments for Apportionment of United Nations Expenses

The General Assembly first took up the report of the Fifth Committee (Administrative & Budgetary) titled, “Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations” (document  A/78/383 ).

The representative of the Russian Federation disassociated himself from paragraphs 108, 113 and 122 of the report. In those paragraphs the war in Ukraine is mentioned as a factor in the abilities of the countries currently in arrears to pay their dues.  The economic nature of the concerned countries appeared long before the special military operation in Ukraine, he said.

The Assembly then adopted without a vote the resolution titled “Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations:  requests under Article 19 of the Charter”, recommended by the Fifth Committee in its report.

By that text’s terms, the Assembly, reaffirming its role in accordance with the provisions of Article 19 and the advisory role of the Committee on Contributions in accordance with rule 160 of the Assembly’s rules of procedure, agreed that the failure of Comoros, Sao Tome and Principe and Somalia to pay the full minimum amount of their assessments necessary to avoid the application of Article 19 of the Charter was due to conditions beyond their control.  It decided that those three Member States shall be permitted to vote in the Assembly until the end of its seventy‑eighth session.

Joint debate on Several Agenda Items

The Assembly then in a joint debate took up several agenda items, including “Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields”; “Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit”; “Strengthening of the United Nations system” and “United Nations reform:  measures and proposals”.

Under the agenda item on “Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields”, the Assembly had before it a note by the Secretary-General (document  A/78/258 ).

The Assembly then continued its consideration of agenda item entitled “Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit” to hold a specific meeting focused on development, in accordance with its resolution 60/265 of 30 June 2006.

There were no speakers on the above-mentioned agenda items.

Global Health and Foreign Policy

The Assembly then turned to its agenda item on “Global health and foreign policy”, taking up three draft resolutions:  Political Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (document  A/78/L.2 ); Political Declaration of the High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (document  A/78/L.3 ) and the Political Declaration on the High-Level Meeting on the Fight Against Tuberculosis (document  A/78/L.4 ).

In explanation of vote before the vote, the representative of Bolivia said these three resolutions disregard the effect of unilateral coercive measures on global health.  Taking up these texts shows that the Assembly does not consider the impact of United Nations decisions on people’s daily lives.  “The question of unilateral coercive measures cannot be swept under the carpet,” he said.  There is a growing trend and ever-increasing expansion of so-called sanctions, which affect the targeted nations, the global economy and supply chains.  The Assembly has learned nothing from the disruption caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic.  There was an attempt to apply a type of veto on unilateral coercive measures during the discussions.  “This is not a way to carry out intergovernmental relations in this Organization,” he said, adding that the text lacks critical elements.  He called urgently for the immediate elimination of these measures.

The representative of Cuba , speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 and China , explained the position on the adoption of the document by saying the Group had showed great willingness to compromise but unfortunately had to break its silence twice due to the take-it-or-leave-it attitude of the negotiations which doesn’t reflect the spirit of multilateralism and cooperation.  It is unacceptable and discriminatory that the co-facilitators decided to weaken the agreed language on tuberculosis to accommodate one single delegation and decided to ignore the concerns of the largest group in the United Nations.  The aspiration and concerns of developing countries should not be ignored, he said, adding the Group wanted to put on record its dissatisfaction with the shortcomings of the negations and outcome of the 2023 political declaration on the fight against tuberculosis.  This process was not conducted in a balanced and fair manner, he said.

The representative of Zimbabwe , associating himself with the Group of 77 and China and the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, said that unilateral coercive measures cause immense economic hardship and deprive vulnerable populations of critical medical care.  These measures also undermine the abilities of countries and governments to respond to pandemics, achieve universal health care and make progress on sustainable development.  The principle to “leave no one behind” will be relegated to history if people do not have a fair shot at sustainable development.  “Unilateral coercive measures are meant to cripple targeted governments,” he said.  Pandemics respect no boundaries.  “No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he added. 

The representative of Iran said the United Nations is based on the views and priorities of all Member States yet the fundamental positions of many delegations were disregarded in the negotiations of these resolutions.  Language was altered for the benefit of a few and did not demonstrate neutrality, transparency and good faith, he said, adding that negotiations should be an inclusive and fair process.  Unilateral coercive measures have a detrimental effect on innocent people, cutting off people’s access to medicines, vaccines and medical equipment.  Such measures violate people’s social, economic and educational rights to development, which cause suffering and are inhumane.  She stressed the need for countries to have national ownership.

The representative of Syria , aligning himself with the Group of 77 and China and the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, approved the high-level meeting on health, which he called timely, given the emerging challenges.  However, some Western countries politicized the process and the concerns of several delegations weren’t considered, he said, adding that some demands were ignored.  “We cannot consider these declarations consensual if they leave a large part of our populations behind,” he said.  Many Syrian facilities are not operational because of unilateral coercive measures, preventing the provision of vaccinations and medicines, especially after the earthquake.  Because of sanctions, Western companies cannot export the medical devices to treat children and a lack of electricity also affects the health sector, he said, adding that his delegation wanted to add language to one of the three political declarations but that unfortunately the facilitator did not take that into account.

The representative of Nicaragua , associating himself with the Group of 77 and China and the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, said that less than a week ago the Assembly witnessed a similar situation:  the proposals of the affected countries of the Global South were once again ignored. These three declarations are incomplete and exclude millions of people who are shut out from their right to development.  How can those countries imposing unilateral coercive measures say they care about “leaving no one behind”, he asked.  Millions upon millions of people could not access critical medications during the COVID‑19 pandemic due to such measures.  Everyone has a right to health, he stressed.

The representative of Belarus said universal health coverage is a foundation for the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and all people’s need for a healthy life.  Developing countries regret that these political declarations do not reflect the negative impact of sanctions on their countries. These measures create a lack of access to medicines and medical equipment necessary to treat illnesses, including tuberculosis — tools that are necessary to extend quality care to their people.  He condemned the use of such measures and requested their removal.  The World Health Organization (WHO) should play a stronger role in the global health infrastructure and consider the impact of these measures, he said.

The representative of China aligned himself with the Group of 77 and the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations and joined the consensus in support of the adoption of the resolutions.  COVID‑19 once again demonstrated the importance of strengthening global health measures, he said, adding that during the negotiation process, China and others tried to bring attention to the issue of universal coercive measures which are in contravention of international law and the purposes and principles of the Charter. Such measures severely undermine public health and have a serious negative impact on the populations in the countries sanctioned.  He regretted that the outcome document did not reflect that concern and said that China will continue to work with like-minded countries to highlight the serious harm of such measures.

The representative of the Russian Federation said that he joined in on consensus on the texts, underscoring that they contain many important elements for humanity’s common future.  During consultations, however, many Member States showed very clearly that they did not wish to be involved in attempts to politicize negotiations and serve the interests of the West.  Some countries attempted to bring the issue of Ukraine into negotiations. He associated himself with the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations and expressed disappointment that the documents were to be adopted without an appeal to remove unilateral coercive sanctions against millions of people.  It is obvious that the development of countries is being blocked by unilateral coercive measures.  He also expressed concern that the declaration on tuberculosis saw a whole paragraph removed.  The language was important as it considered the vulnerable situation of children with tuberculosis.

The Assembly then adopted the three drafts resolutions — “L.2”, “L.3” and “L.4” without a vote.

In explanation of vote after the vote, the representative of Spain , speaking on behalf of the European Union , said she was delighted to approve the three political declarations and commended the co-facilitators that brought the Assembly together to reaffirm its commitment to improve global health.  When it comes to pandemic preparedness, prevention and response, she underlined the power of collaboration to address global inequity and said the European Union is “walking the talk” by taking concrete action that makes everyone safer.  In terms of universal health coverage, a top priority, she highlighted the importance of primary health care as well as sexual and reproductive health, and the centrality of an effective health care workforce.  She wanted the record to reflect the bloc’s disassociation with two points:  The paragraph continuing non-consensual references to the right to development and that the transfer of technology must be voluntary and on mutually agreed terms.

The representative of Australia , also speaking on behalf of Canada and New Zealand , said that the three declarations aim to ensure “our health systems are equitable” and better positioned to respond to a future global pandemic.  All people must be able to access equitable health services consistent with their human rights.  The COVID‑19 pandemic has had devastating health, economic and political effects on all Member States.  Climate change is also impacting the delivery of health services.  Non-communicable diseases are rising globally.  He also expressed disappointment that stronger language on sexual and reproductive health was not included in the declarations.

The representative of Oman , speaking on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council , said his delegation appreciated the negotiations that led to the Political Declaration on pandemics.  It shows how pandemics affect countries’ ability to move forward on economic development and recognizes the value of multilateralism in combatting pandemics.  It helps the international community build on the lessons and best practices learned and recognizes the need to support developing countries and build their national and regional capacities, he said.  It ensures their timely access to medical equipment and tools.  The Declaration also commends the important role of health care workers in preventing pandemics.  Turning to paragraph 52 of the text and its terms to sexual and reproductive health care services and rights, he said Oman will interpret this paragraph based on the traditions of its community and its national laws.

The representative of Namibia said the political declarations represent an opportunity for the international community to recommit to the prevention of, preparation for and more rapid responses to future pandemics. “Unfortunately, we have fallen short of the goal,” she said, adding that no consensus was reached on important language that speaks to ensuring equitable access to health care, technology transfer and the removal of intellectual property barriers as well as the investment in manufacturing to enable production in the Global South. She said that the promulgation of the punitiveness of unilateral coercive sanctions constitutes one of the greatest obstacles to the realization of the 2030 Agenda, emphasizing that what was adopted today was a minimum.

The representative of the United States said that promoting and protecting the human rights of all persons is fundamental, and that includes implementing laws and policies that eliminate stigma and marginalization. The voices of all persons must be included in building a more resilient world in the face of climate change and future pandemics.  Preventing, preparing for and responding to future pandemics is key as is restoring essential health services to levels seen prior to the pandemic, and preferably before 2025.  The world has been profoundly impacted by the COVID‑19 pandemic with nearly seven million lives lost.  “We need to address the gaps exposed by COVID‑19 and prepare for the future,” she said. Turning to the declaration on tuberculosis, she expressed regret that language on sexual and reproductive health rights was not strengthened.  She further expressed concern with references in the text relating to trade and technology transfer and terminology on equal pay for equal work.

The representative of South Africa said good health and access to health care is a human right.  He reaffirmed the importance of health to the achievement of the SDGs and the promotion and protection of human rights.  The Assembly’s three high-level meetings on health were important and showed the need to address health emergencies on a global basis.  The pandemic showed that global health is unequal and developing countries need unhindered access to vaccines.  It is regrettable that the three political declarations ignored the views of developing countries on the impact of unilateral coercive measures, she said, adding that a compromise could have been achieved.

The representative of Egypt welcomed the adoption of the three political declarations which reflect international solidarity in the effort to achieve the third SDG and said he remain committed to the international efforts to promote the right to universal health coverage and overcome the gaps created and exacerbated by COVID‑19 pandemic.  Egypt’s national efforts in this regard will continue, he said. Developing countries were looking forward to seeing in the three political declarations a commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring equal and unhindered access to medical tools, equipment and technologies, he said, adding he believed the adoption of the resolutions represents an international commitment to supporting developing States in the promotion of their national health systems.

The representative of Hungary said that pandemic prevention and response should be based on professional experience.  “Saving lives cannot be a choice of politics or ideology,” he added.  Welcoming the text’s “explicit reference” to the primary responsibility of all Governments to achieve goals set out in the declarations, he said that Hungary reserves the right to apply the provisions of the documents in line with its national laws.  “We believe that national health care policies and priorities must remain a matter for Member States’ government to set and regulate,” he emphasized.  No provisions of these declarations should be read as originating any newly recognized rights in this regard.

The representative of Guatemala said her country is committed to achieving universal health care coverage.  Yet her delegation dissociates itself from paragraph 52 of the pandemic declaration and paragraph 62 of the health care coverage declaration as these portions contravene national legislation and Government policy to protect life and the family.  Her Government protects the human rights of all its citizens.  The country has reservations on the application of terms, conditions and provisions that explicitly or implicitly contradict its political Constitution and judicial order, she said.  For Guatemala, the terms related to sexual and reproductive rights should not be interpreted to include abortion, she said, adding that there is no international consensus on the interpretation of reproductive rights.

The representative of the United Kingdom said that he was pleased about the adoption of the resolution, adding that his Government has committed 500 million pounds in support of global health.  He welcomed the increased focus on scaling up investment in primary health care and combatting tuberculosis, and he highlighted the necessity of reforming the international financial system to release more finance for health systems and pandemic preparedness in developing countries, including through greater investment in the pandemic fund.  However, domestic public resources must be the primary source for stronger health systems, he said.  In terms of tuberculosis, he welcomed efforts to end the disease by 2030 but said he was frustrated that the declarations did not move the United Nations forward on the key issues of gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The representative of Japan said that reaching consensus at the international level on how to deal with global challenges, including health, have become increasingly complex.  “It is during these challenging moments that we should return to our core principle,” he added.  “Leaving no one behind” is the guiding light that the international community must follow. Japan remains resolute to the concept of human security and will aim to redouble its efforts toward achieving the SDGs. The principles of dignity and solidarity must guide all Member States toward a future where all people can have access to quality health services, he added.

The representative of Argentina said his delegation supported the adoption of the pandemic declaration as it shows progress on global efforts to prepare and respond to pandemics.  Equity and solidarity are guiding principles that enable the international community to prepare for other health emergencies.  Argentina has worked with regional organizations to help expand middle‑ and low-income countries’ access to medicines, vaccines and medical technology.  These are global public goods and the principle of transparency must be followed to contribute to universal access and the equitable distribution of these goods, he added.  Funding to developing countries must be strengthened to build their capacity.

The representative of Indonesia applauded the consensual adoption of the three political declarations.  He also commended the facilitators for their work during the negotiation process in navigating and leading the deliberations.  For a country of more than 275 million people, spread across more than 70,000 islands, the three declarations play an important role in boosting the implementation of sustainable development in the health sector. While each of the three specific topics are important, the political declarations are also key, and interlinked one with another, he added, expressing his support for them at all levels, including within the United Nations environment.

The representative of Switzerland attached great importance to the political declarations as they symbolize an important step toward the shared vision of achieving the SDGs.  “The declarations are not perfect,” she said, adding that nevertheless her delegation still supports the current consensus.  She attached great importance to the overall objective of succeeding in formally adopting these declarations.  “We regret that this objective was not achieved before the high-level week,” she stressed.  Attempts to modify texts after they had been approved by Heads of States and Government are “very worrying”.  She expressed concern over this process and urged Member States not to allow this situation to set a new precedent.

The representative of Algeria said that despite the consensus in the adoptions there were gaps between the views of countries in the North and the South.  Health is very important to build sound societies and it is necessary for the international community to live up to its commitments and achieve universal health coverage.  The negotiations placed pressure on developing countries, he said, calling for enhanced cooperation in all areas.  He regretted that certain language on the role of the family was not included in the declaration on tuberculosis, and that the three adopted texts lacked language on the impact of unilateral coercive measures.  He hoped the resolutions would form a basis for future negotiations so countries can enjoy high-level health care.

The representative of the Dominican Republic voiced her gratitude to the co-facilitators, Morocco and Israel, for their leadership and their unwavering commitment to the successful outcome of the four-month negotiations.  Given the novelty of the themes for negotiation, there were many challenges, but the document largely reflects the interests of all members, she said, adding that it is imperative to highlight the challenges of this process, especially when it comes to agreement on language, and improved coordination in the future.  She had hoped for a better balance being struck, especially in terms of priorities, but wholeheartedly supported the declarations.  The texts provide recommendations to improve a holistic, cross-country approach that will strengthen health systems, she said.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday delivered a speech titled "Working Together to Build a Global Community of Health for All" at the Global Health Summit via video link. The summit is a special event of the G20 presidency, organized by Italy in partnership with the European Commission.

Below is the full text:

Your Excellency Prime Minister Mario Draghi,

Your Excellency President Ursula von der Leyen,

Dear Colleagues,

It gives me great pleasure to attend the Global Health Summit. Last year, the G20 successfully held an Extraordinary Leaders' Summit on COVID-19 and the Riyadh Summit. Many important common understandings were reached on promoting global solidarity against the virus and boosting world economic recovery.

The past year and more have seen repeated resurgence and frequent mutations of the coronavirus. The most serious pandemic in a century is still wreaking havoc. To clinch an early victory against COVID-19 and restore economic growth remains the top priority for the international community. G20 members need to shoulder responsibilities in global cooperation against the virus. In the meantime, we need to draw on experience both positive and otherwise, and lose no time in remedying deficiencies, closing loopholes and strengthening weak links in a bid to enhance preparedness and capacity for coping with major public health emergencies. Here, I want to make five points on what we need to do.

First, we must put people and their lives first. The battle with COVID-19 is one for the people and by the people. What has happened proves that to completely defeat the virus, we must put people's lives and health front and center, demonstrate a great sense of political responsibility and courage, and make extraordinary responses to an extraordinary challenge. No effort must be spared to attend every case, save every patient, and truly respect the value and dignity of every human life. It is also important to minimize the potential impact on people's life and maintain general order in our society.

Second, we must follow science-based policies and ensure a coordinated and systemic response. Faced with this new infectious disease, we should advocate the spirit of science, adopt a science-based approach, and follow the law of science. The fight against COVID-19 is an all-out war that calls for a systemic response to coordinate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, balance targeted routine COVID-19 protocols and emergency measures, and ensure both epidemic control and socio-economic development. G20 members need to adopt responsible macro-economic policies and step up coordination to keep the global industrial and supply chains safe and smooth. It is essential to give continued support by such means as debt suspension and development aid to developing countries, especially vulnerable countries facing exceptional difficulties.

Third, we must stick together and promote solidarity and cooperation. The pandemic is yet another reminder that we humanity rise and fall together with a shared future. Confronted by a pandemic like COVID-19, we must champion the vision of building a global community of health for all, tide over this trying time through solidarity and cooperation, and firmly reject any attempt to politicize, label or stigmatize the virus. Political manipulation would not serve COVID-19 response on the domestic front. It would only disrupt international cooperation against the virus and bring greater harm to people around the world.

Fourth, we must uphold fairness and equity as we strive to close the immunization gap. A year ago, I proposed that vaccines should be made a global public good. Today, the problem of uneven vaccination has become more acute. It is imperative for us to reject vaccine nationalism and find solutions to issues concerning the production capacity and distribution of vaccines, in order to make vaccines more accessible and affordable in developing countries. Major vaccine-developing and producing countries need to take up their responsibility to provide more vaccines to developing countries in urgent need, and they also need to support their businesses in joint research and authorized production with other countries having the relevant capacity. Multilateral financial institutions should provide inclusive financing support for vaccine procurement of developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) should speed up efforts under the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility.

Fifth, we must address both the symptoms and root causes as we improve the governance system. The pandemic is an extensive test of the global health governance system. It is important that we strengthen and leverage the role of the UN and the WHO and improve the global disease prevention and control system to better prevent and respond to future pandemics. It is important that we uphold the spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, fully heed the views of developing countries, and better reflect their legitimate concerns. It is also important that we enhance our capacity of monitoring, early-warning and emergency response, our capacity of treatment of major pandemics, of contingency reserve and logistics, of fighting disinformation, and of providing support to developing countries.

Colleagues,

In this unprecedented battle against the pandemic, China has, while receiving support and help from many countries, mounted a massive global humanitarian operation. At the 73rd World Health Assembly held in May last year, I announced five measures that China would take to support global anti-pandemic cooperation. Implementation of those measures is well underway. Notwithstanding the limited production capacity and enormous demand at home, China has honored its commitment by providing free vaccines to more than 80 developing countries in urgent need and exporting vaccines to 43 countries. We have provided $2 billion in assistance for the COVID-19 response and economic and social recovery in developing countries hit by the pandemic. We have sent medical supplies to more than 150 countries and 13 international organizations, providing more than 280 billion masks, 3.4 billion protective suits and 4 billion testing kits to the world. A cooperation mechanism has been established for Chinese hospitals to pair up with 41 African hospitals, and construction for the China-assisted project of the Africa CDC headquarters officially started at the end of last year. Important progress has also been made in the China-UN joint project to set up in China a global humanitarian response depot and hub. China is fully implementing the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative for Poorest Countries and has so far put off debt repayment exceeding $1.3 billion, the highest deferral amount among G20 members.

In continued support for global solidarity against COVID-19, I wish to announce the following:

— China will provide an additional $3 billion in international aid over the next three years to support COVID-19 response and economic and social recovery in other developing countries.

— Having already supplied 300 million doses of vaccines to the world, China will provide still more vaccines to the best of its ability.

— China supports its vaccine companies in transferring technologies to other developing countries and carrying out joint production with them.

— Having announced support for waiving intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, China also supports the World Trade Organization and other international institutions in making an early decision on this matter.

— China proposes setting up an international forum on vaccine cooperation for vaccine-developing and producing countries, companies and other stakeholders to explore ways of promoting fair and equitable distribution of vaccines around the world.

The ancient Roman philosopher Seneca said, "We are all waves of the same sea." Let us join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder with each other to firmly advance international cooperation against COVID-19, build a global community of health for all, and work for a healthier and brighter future for humanity.

(Cover: A staff member displays samples of the COVID-19 inactivated vaccine at Sinovac Biotech Ltd., in Beijing, capital of China, March 16, 2020. /Xinhua)

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Remarks by UNAIDS Executive Director at the Roundtable Strong Primary Healthcare, including Public Health Institutes, Digital Health, and Health Workforce (EU-AU High-Level Event on Global Health), Palais d’Egmont, Brussels, Belgium, 20 March 2024

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Full Text: Remarks by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Global Health Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the Global Health Summit and delivers a speech via video in Beijing, capital of China, May 21, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Global Health Summit via video in Beijing on Friday.

Please see the attachment for the translation of the full text of the speech.  Enditem

Download the Full Text

Working Together to Build a Global Community of Health for All

Remarks by H.E. Xi Jinping

President of the People’s Republic of China

At the Global Health Summit

21 May 2021

Your Excellency Prime Minister Mario Draghi,

Your Excellency President Ursula von der Leyen,

Dear Colleagues,

It gives me great pleasure to attend the Global Health Summit. Last year, the G20 successfully held an Extraordinary Leaders’ Summit on COVID-19 and the Riyadh Summit. Many important common understandings were reached on promoting global solidarity against the virus and boosting world economic recovery.

The past year and more have seen repeated resurgence and frequent mutations of the coronavirus. The most serious pandemic in a century is still wreaking havoc. To clinch an early victory against COVID-19 and restore economic growth remains the top priority for the international community. G20 members need to shoulder responsibilities in global cooperation against the virus. In the meantime, we need to draw on experience both positive and otherwise, and lose no time in remedying deficiencies, closing loopholes and strengthening weak links in a bid to enhance preparedness and capacity for coping with major public health emergencies. Here, I want to make five points on what we need to do.

First, we must put people and their lives first. The battle with COVID-19 is one for the people and by the people. What has happened proves that to completely defeat the virus, we must put people’s lives and health front and center, demonstrate a great sense of political responsibility and courage, and make extraordinary responses to an extraordinary challenge. No effort must be spared to attend every case, save every patient, and truly respect the value and dignity of every human life. Meanwhile, it is also important to minimize the potential impact on people’s life and maintain general order in our society.

Second, we must follow science-based policies and ensure a coordinated and systemic response. Faced with this new infectious disease, we should advocate the spirit of science, adopt a science-based approach, and follow the law of science. The fight against COVID-19 is an all-out war that calls for a systemic response to coordinate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, balance targeted routine COVID-19 protocols and emergency measures, and ensure both epidemic control and socio-economic development. G20 members need to adopt responsible macro-economic policies and step up coordination to keep the global industrial and supply chains safe and smooth. It is essential to give continued support by such means as debt suspension and development aid to developing countries, especially vulnerable countries facing exceptional difficulties.

Third, we must stick together and promote solidarity and cooperation. The pandemic is yet another reminder that we humanity rise and fall together with a shared future. Confronted by a pandemic like COVID-19, we must champion the vision of building a global community of health for all, tide over this trying time through solidarity and cooperation, and firmly reject any attempt to politicize, label or stigmatize the virus. Political manipulation would not serve COVID-19 response on the domestic front. It would only disrupt international cooperation against the virus and bring greater harm to people around the world.

Fourth, we must uphold fairness and equity as we strive to close the immunization gap. A year ago, I proposed that vaccines should be made a global public good. Today, the problem of uneven vaccination has become more acute. It is imperative for us to reject vaccine nationalism and find solutions to issues concerning the production capacity and distribution of vaccines, in order to make vaccines more accessible and affordable in developing countries. Major vaccine-developing and producing countries need to take up their responsibility to provide more vaccines to developing countries in urgent need, and they also need to support their businesses in joint research and authorized production with other countries having the relevant capacity. Multilateral financial institutions should provide inclusive financing support for vaccine procurement of developing countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) should speed up efforts under the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility.

Fifth, we must address both the symptoms and root causes as we improve the governance system. The pandemic is an extensive test of the global health governance system. It is important that we strengthen and leverage the role of the UN and the WHO and improve the global disease prevention and control system to better prevent and respond to future pandemics. It is important that we uphold the spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, fully heed the views of developing countries, and better reflect their legitimate concerns. It is also important that we enhance our capacity of monitoring, early-warning and emergency response, our capacity of treatment of major pandemics, of contingency reserve and logistics, of fighting disinformation, and of providing support to developing countries.

Colleagues,

In this unprecedented battle against the pandemic, China has, while receiving support and help from many countries, mounted a massive global humanitarian operation. At the 73rd World Health Assembly held in May last year, I announced five measures that China would take to support global anti-pandemic cooperation. Implementation of those measures is well underway. Notwithstanding the limited production capacity and enormous demand at home, China has honored its commitment by providing free vaccines to more than 80 developing countries in urgent need and exporting vaccines to 43 countries. We have provided 2 billion US dollars in assistance for the COVID-19 response and economic and social recovery in developing countries hit by the pandemic. We have sent medical supplies to more than 150 countries and 13 international organizations, providing more than 280 billion masks, 3.4 billion protective suits and 4 billion testing kits to the world. A cooperation mechanism has been established for Chinese hospitals to pair up with 41 African hospitals, and construction for the China-assisted project of the Africa CDC headquarters officially started at the end of last year. Important progress has also been made in the China-UN joint project to set up in China a global humanitarian response depot and hub. China is fully implementing the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative for Poorest Countries and has so far put off debt repayment exceeding 1.3 billion US dollars, the highest deferral amount among G20 members.

In continued support for global solidarity against COVID-19, I wish to announce the following:

— China will provide an additional 3 billion US dollars in international aid over the next three years to support COVID-19 response and economic and social recovery in other developing countries.

— Having already supplied 300 million doses of vaccines to the world, China will provide still more vaccines to the best of its ability.

— China supports its vaccine companies in transferring technologies to other developing countries and carrying out joint production with them.

— Having announced support for waiving intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, China also supports the World Trade Organization and other international institutions in making an early decision on this matter.

— China proposes setting up an international forum on vaccine cooperation for vaccine-developing and producing countries, companies and other stakeholders to explore ways of promoting fair and equitable distribution of vaccines around the world.

The ancient Roman philosopher Seneca said, “We are all waves of the same sea.” Let us join hands and stand shoulder to shoulder with each other to firmly advance international cooperation against COVID-19, build a global community of health for all, and work for a healthier and brighter future for humanity.

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Readout of President Joe   Biden’s Call with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of   China

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. spoke today with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).  The call follows the two leaders’ meeting in Woodside, California in November 2023.  The two leaders held a candid and constructive discussion on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, including areas of cooperation and areas of difference.  They reviewed and encouraged progress on key issues discussed at the Woodside Summit, including counternarcotics cooperation, ongoing military-to-military communication, talks to address AI-related risks, and continuing efforts on climate change and people-to-people exchanges.   President Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.  He raised concerns over the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base and its impact on European and transatlantic security, and he emphasized the United States’ enduring commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.  President Biden also raised continued concerns about the PRC’s unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices, which harm American workers and families.  The President emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine our national security, without unduly limiting trade and investment. The two leaders welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship through high-level diplomacy and working-level consultations in the weeks and months ahead, including during upcoming visits by Secretary Yellen and Secretary Blinken.

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WHS 2022 strenghtened exchange, stimulated innovative solutions to health challenges, fostered global health as a key political issue and promoted the global health debate in the spirit of the UN Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 17 “Partnership for the Goals”.

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The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’

Researchers are documenting a phenomenon that seems to help the dying, as well as those they leave behind..

By Phoebe Zerwick

Read by Samantha Desz

Produced by Jack D’Isidoro and Aaron Esposito

Narration produced by Anna Diamond and Emma Kehlbeck

Original music by Aaron Esposito

Engineered by Sophia Lanman and Sharon Kearney

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Chris Kerr was 12 when he first observed a deathbed vision. His memory of that summer in 1974 is blurred, but not the sense of mystery he felt at the bedside of his dying father. Throughout Kerr’s childhood in Toronto, his father, a surgeon, was too busy to spend much time with his son, except for an annual fishing trip they took, just the two of them, to the Canadian wilderness. Gaunt and weakened by cancer at 42, his father reached for the buttons on Kerr’s shirt, fiddled with them and said something about getting ready to catch the plane to their cabin in the woods. “I knew intuitively, I knew wherever he was, must be a good place because we were going fishing,” Kerr told me.

Kerr now calls what he witnessed an end-of-life vision. His father wasn’t delusional, he believes. His mind was taking him to a time and place where he and his son could be together, in the wilds of northern Canada.

Kerr followed his father into medicine, and in the last 10 years he has hired a permanent research team that expanded studies on deathbed visions to include interviews with patients receiving hospice care at home and with their families, deepening researchers’ understanding of the variety and profundity of these visions.

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Anna Paquin, 41, Uses A Cane On Red Carpet And Opens Up About 'Difficult' Two Years Battling Illness

"It hasn't been easy."

• The 41-year-old actress shared that she’s been dealing with undisclosed health issues for the past two years that have made mobility and speech a challenge.
• A source also told People that Anna will hopefully make a full recovery.

Anna Paquin is getting attention after hitting the red carpet using a cane . The 41-year-old actress shared that she’s been dealing with undisclosed health issues that have made mobility a challenge.

The Oscar winner, who stars in the new movie A Bit of Light, told People that it’s been a “difficult” two years.

"It hasn't been easy," she said, noting that she’s also had some issues with her speech. However, a source also told People that Anna will hopefully make a full recovery.

Still, Anna said that she’s excited to support her new movie, which was directed by her husband of 14 years, True Blood alum Stephen Moyer.

"My first love was independent filmmaking," she said. "That's how I entered the film industry. I was working with people who were all about telling stories and telling them with integrity and truth."

Anna also shared that Stephen is her “favorite person” to direct her—and said she wouldn’t be working with him if she didn’t think he was good at what he does. “I'm not sentimental when it comes to work,” she said.

Anna didn’t dive more into her health, but she previously told TODAY that privacy is important to her. “I’ve always been very private. I’m not as neurotic about it as I was when I was younger,” she said. “I don’t want people to know too much about my real, inner private life.”

Stephen also keeps the couple’s life together pretty under wraps, although he shares little behind-the-scenes glimpses of married life with them here and there.

Worth noting: He also called Anna his “incredibly talented soul mate” on Instagram back in 2022:

Get better soon, Anna!

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World Health Day 2024: Best Short Speech In English For Students

World Health Day is observed globally on April 7th each year to raise awareness about health issues and to advocate for prioritising health and wellness. Short speeches delivered on such occasions often aim to inspire students and others to adopt healthy habits, overcome challenges, and recognise the benefits of making wellness a priority in their lives.

• Updated - 2024-04-06, 11:41 IST

Speech 1: Investing In Your Most Valuable Asset

Speech 2: the power of prioritising your health.

Speech 3: Your Health, Your Future

Image Courtesy: FreePik

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