Bente Mikkelsen, Global Ambassador NCDs at The G20 and G7 Health and Development Partnership, shared on LinkedIn:
“Last week, I attended the UNGA81 and had the honor of participating in ‘Preparedness That Protects: Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness through Resilient Health Systems and Continuity of Essential Health Care Service’.
I wish to extend sincere appreciation to the Presidency of The Arab Republic of Egypt and Ministerio de Sanidad, Spain for their co-hosting of this event, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – IFRC for convening us, and to our fellow organizing partners, Danish Red Cross, the NCD Alliance United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance IOM – UN Migration UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, for assembling so broad and distinguished a coalition around this table.
For more than six decades St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital mission has rested on a single, unequivocal premise:
That no child should die in the dawn of life. That mission has brought the common understanding that pandemic preparedness and the continuity of essential health services are not two separate undertakings.
A health system capable of mounting a rapid response to an emerging threat, yet unable to sustain the care of the patients already within it, cannot be said to have protected its population. Preparedness that genuinely protects must hold on both fronts, against the acute shock of a new emergency, and for the patient whose care is already underway when that emergency arrives.
Coming together during this UNGA81 where the Political Declaration on PPPR is the main topic, is critical because it creates opportunities to share perspectives, strengthen partnerships and align around common priorities.
One message resonated throughout the discussion: preparedness must not be measured solely by our ability to respond to the next emergency, but also by our ability to sustain essential health services during times of crisis.
Turning that principle into policy, financing and implementation will require continued collaboration across governments, multilateral organizations, civil society and health care partners. Meaningful progress depends on working together across institutions, disciplines and communities to build stronger, more resilient health systems that improve outcomes for children and families around the world.
Thank you to the many colleagues and partners whose dedication helped make this discussion possible. Their commitment, expertise and collaboration continue to drive progress toward a healthier future for children and families everywhere.”
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UNGA81 Multistakeholder Gathering Explores How to Act on NCDs Better Together – NCD Alliance
