Global Health Leaders Hold First Ever Virtual Meeting Due To Covid-19

He wrote on Twitter that “Today is the start of the 73rd World Health Assembly – the first ever to be convened virtually. It is an opportunity for health leaders to commit to fight COVID19 together, in unity, in solidarity! That’s the only way we can stop this pandemic and keep the world safe.”

Today is the start of the 73rd World Health Assembly – the first ever to be convened virtually. It is an opportunity for health leaders to commit to fight #COVID19 together, in unity, in solidarity! That’s the only way we can stop this pandemic and keep the world safe. #WHA73

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 18, 2020

Meeting to set priorities

Countries each year come together at the World Health Assembly to review the work of the UN’s health agency.

They also set priorities for the coming year at this meeting but the body is just an advisory agency for the UN.

Without more powers, it can’t force member countries to share accurate health information for action.

There are indication during this year’s virtually assembly meeting there would be calls for the WHO to be given more powers.

Should those powers be given it would allow inspectors to go into countries at the start of outbreaks, and carry out independent investigations.