90 HEALTHCARE
WHO Liberia Clinic
In DRC, the classical control measures that
failed so miserably in West Africa worked quickly
and effectively to shut the outbreak down.
death above expected levels for the particular
time and place in all areas within the territory.”
The country had its own lab with full diagnostic
capacity. Hospitals had isolation wards and
stockpiles of equipment. This capacity underscores the need to have
well-functioning health systems in place
throughout a country’s territory. In other words:
universal health coverage.
Clinicians were experienced. The disease was
familiar to the population. The government could
immediately activate well-tested emergency
response plans. An effective early warning system depends on
fundamental capacities and good quality data
at the community level. Data on the usual aid
recognition of the unusual.
The first case occurred on 11 August, the last
case on 4 October. That’s a duration of less
than two months. Altogether, the outbreak was
limited to 66 cases and 49 deaths. Compliance with IHR requirements has been
dismal. Less than a third of WHO member
states have put in place the core capacities
needed for implementation.
Until more countries have fundamental health
capacities, services, and infrastructures in place,
the international community risks running behind
an emerging or re-emerging disease that can
easily spiral out of control. Ebola in West Africa was not a worst-case
scenario.
In fact, this is the first core capacity set out in
the International Health Regulations. That is,
an ability to “detect events involving disease or
The world is dangerously ill-prepared to cope
with a severe new disease that spreads by
the airborne route or is contagious during the
incubation period, before tell-tale signs of illness
appear.
We have no time to lose. We must urgently
support countries to build IHR core capacities
as an integral part of a well-functioning health
system.
I commend G7 leaders for their commitment
to assist at least 60 countries over the next five
years. I urge them to share information and use
the new web portal which WHO is developing
for information sharing and transparency.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa shattered the
notion that a disease of poor African nations will
have no consequences elsewhere. In a world
of transboundary threats, causes need to be
addressed at their roots. This is the only viable
approach to prevention.
For global health security, this means investing
in well-functioning health systems that reach
everyone with comprehensive, quality services.
Thank you.