Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- Recently, the amended International Health Regulations (IHR) officially entered into force, marking a historic milestone in global health governance.
About International Health Regulations (IHR)
- Historical Background:
- International Sanitary Conference (Paris, 1851): to address cholera spreading along European trade routes; focused on quarantine rules and information exchange;
- International Sanitary Regulations (1951): The establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 eventually consolidated the fragmented conventions and treaties related to maritime health and aerial navigation.
- International Health Regulations (IHR), 1969: It narrowed its scope to three diseases: cholera, plague, and yellow fever.
- Vaccination certificates and quarantine rules remained central.
- IHR is a legally binding framework for 196 States Parties, including all 194 WHO Member States.
- IHR, 2005: The SARS outbreak of 2003 exposed gaps in the older framework.
- In response, the 2005 revision expanded coverage to any public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Key features included:
- 24-hour notification of events to WHO;
- Development of national ‘core capacities’;
- Establishment of 24/7 communication channels;
- In response, the 2005 revision expanded coverage to any public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Key features included:
- The latest amendments—adopted by consensus at the 77th World Health Assembly in 2024 that reflects lessons learned from COVID-19 and decades of evolving public health policy.
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) acts as the Secretariat of the IHR, facilitating coordination but not enforcing compliance. It provides technical guidance, alerts, and support during health emergencies.
| Amendment Process – Article 55: It allows proposals from States Parties or the WHO Director-General. 1. Adoption requires a majority decision in the World Health Assembly (WHA).Countries may reject or reserve provisions under Articles 61–62. – Institutional Mechanisms: 1. Emergency Committee (Article 48): It advises the WHO Director-General on whether an event qualifies as a PHEIC or a Pandemic Emergency, guiding temporary recommendations. 2. Review Committee (Article 50): It evaluates amendments, standing recommendations, and other technical questions. |
Key Highlights in Recent Amendments
- Introduction of ‘Pandemic Emergency’ Classification: Pandemic Emergency applies when a communicable disease spreads widely across multiple States, overwhelms health systems, and causes major social and economic disruption requiring rapid, coordinated international action.
- It goes beyond the existing Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The new classification enables:
- Earlier international alerts;
- Stronger coordination among countries;
- Enhanced access to medical countermeasures;
- It goes beyond the existing Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The new classification enables:
- Establishment of National IHR Authorities: The amendments mandate the creation of National IHR Authorities in each member country, to streamline implementation.
- It aims to coordinate across ministries — including health, transport, trade, and security, unlike the Focal Point (a communication hub), to implement the IHR.
- For India: It means a formal designation by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, supported by updated legislation, expanded disease surveillance, stronger laboratories, and safeguards for personal data during emergencies.
- Equity and Solidarity at the Core: The revised IHR emphasizes equity and solidarity, particularly in access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. Provisions have been added to:
- Strengthen financing mechanisms;
- Promote fair distribution of medical products;
- Support low- and middle-income countries during global health crises;
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Compliance relies on Joint External Evaluations (JEE), where international experts collaborate with national authorities to assess readiness in surveillance, labs, workforce, and communication.
- These reviews help countries identify weaknesses and investment priorities.
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