Civil Society Groups Voice Criticism of Flawed Pandemic Agreement

In a resounding declaration against profit-driven policies at the expense of global health, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) alongside civil society organizations, have condemned the deeply flawed Proposal for the WHO Pandemic Agreement. The agreement is slated to be agreed in the upcoming World Health Assembly from May 27th to 1st June, 2024 where UN member countries are expected to converge and agree on the pandemic agreement.

The April 16, 2024, Proposal for the WHO Pandemic Agreement has undergone extensive negotiations, resulting in a text that has been watered down and lacks accountability.

Speaking in Nairobi, Dr. Samuel Kinyanjui, Country Director of AHF, said the recent iteration of the text is filled with platitudes, anemic in obligations, and devoid of any accountability.

“The proposal, criticized by The Lancet as shameful, unjust, and inequitable, fails to prioritize global health security over profit-driven interests,” he noted.

He further cited that under the present terms, only 20 per cent of pandemic-related health products are guaranteed to the World Health Organization (WHO), leaving the remaining 80 per cent vulnerable to market forces.

“Such arrangement will effectively leave 80 per cent of crucial vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics prey to the international scramble seen in COVID-19,” he said, adding that the statistics underscore the urgent need for equitable access to life-saving medical resources.

Equally troubling is the absence of effective mechanisms for accountability and enforcement. The proposal lacks tangible provisions for monitoring and compliance, perpetuating past failures in global health security.

“Equity will not be operationalized without effective mechanisms for accountability and enforcement,” he emphasized.

Calls for accountability have been widespread, echoed by the United Nations General Assembly and prominent international bodies. “Relying solely on state self-reporting mechanisms does not work,” stated Kinyanjui. The absence of independent oversight and clear enforcement frameworks undermines the agreement’s effectiveness.

Civil society’s participation in decision-making processes remains marginalized, despite their critical contributions during past health crises. “The voices of civil society remain marginalized in the decision-making processes of the WHO and its implementation,” remarked Maleche Allan, Executive Director of KELIN.

Their inclusion is vital for meaningful participation and effective governance.

James Kamau, Kenya Treatment Access Movement (KETAM) chief executive, emphasized the need for binding financial commitments to establish a robust pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response architecture.

“Without binding financial commitments and a coherent long-term financing strategy, we risk repeating the failures of the past,” he warned.

He noted that civil society’s participation in decision-making processes remains marginalized, despite their critical contributions during past health crises where there inclusion is vital for meaningful participation and effective governance.

“The voices of civil society remain marginalized in the decision-making processes of the WHO and its implementation,” remarked Kamau.

Speaking on the same, Dr. Wafula Wanyonyi, Program Manager, KELIN, reiterated that their concerns are not unfounded as developed nations seem to have prioritized the interests of pharmaceutical giants over the collective welfare of humanity.

The compromise proposed for the WHO Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System, as characterized by The Lancet, is not just shameful and unjust, but ignorant of the lessons painfully learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.