Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | A recent report has revealed that 2024 has seen seventeen outbreaks of serious diseases, underscoring the world’s ongoing vulnerability to pandemics. The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) has raised alarms about current outbreaks, such as Marburg, Mpox, and a new strain of avian influenza (H5N1), which serve as critical reminders of the looming pandemic threat.
The report, released on Monday, outlines 15 major drivers of pandemic risk across five categories: social, technological, environmental, economic, and political. These risk factors, GPMB warns, significantly increase the chances of future pandemics.
The organization, established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, tracks these risks and assesses global readiness to respond to potential threats. The report highlights the possibility that the next pandemic may strike unexpectedly and calls for a comprehensive overhaul of how countries approach pandemic preparedness.
Among the key concerns raised are the lack of trust between and within nations, inequality, intensive agriculture, and the rising possibility of human-to-animal disease transmission. The report also points to emerging risks outside traditional health factors.
While digital connectivity has enabled quicker sequencing of pathogens and faster response strategies, it has also introduced new vulnerabilities. Cyber-attacks, increased biosecurity risks, and the rapid spread of misinformation all contribute to heightened pandemic threats.
The GPMB urges global leaders to act swiftly in addressing these vulnerabilities to ensure the world is better prepared for future outbreaks.
“The next pandemic won’t wait for us to perfect our systems,” said Joy Phumaphi, GPMB Co-Chair and former Minister of Health to Botswana. “We must invest now in resilient and equitable primary healthcare systems to withstand the challenges of tomorrow.”
The latest report emphasizes the intricate, interconnected factors that contribute to pandemic risk, highlighting the importance of a flexible, proactive response to protect society. It underscores the need for collaboration and investment to reduce risks and improve readiness for future pandemics.
To enhance preparedness, the report calls on all nations to reinforce their health systems, ensure access to essential healthcare for all, and prioritize social protection, especially for vulnerable and marginalized communities. It stresses that economic strength alone, as measured by GDP, is not an indicator of a nation’s resilience to pandemics.
The report advocates for greater cross-sector collaboration, acknowledging that the health of different sectors is deeply intertwined. By working together, governments, industries, and communities can mitigate the risks of pandemics and create a more resilient global response system.
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“We have a narrow window of opportunity to rethink global preparedness: to assess risks that extend well beyond the health sector, and to address some of these far more proactively, in a way that is adapted to each context,” said H.E., Ms. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, GPMB Co-Chair and former President of Croatia. “Vigilance, adaptability and collaboration must define our preparation now, so that is it baked-in to the response.”
The report offers a comprehensive framework for policymakers to strengthen and adapt their health strategies in preparation for future pandemics. It emphasizes the importance of regularly reviewing and updating prevention and response plans, ensuring they are flexible enough to address a wide range of potential scenarios.
By adopting this adaptive approach, countries can bolster their protective measures, making them more resilient in the face of evolving health threats. The framework serves as a guide for governments to enhance their preparedness and better protect their populations from future pandemics.
