WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing – 29 June 2022
On COVID-19, driven by BA.4 and BA.5 in many places, cases are on the rise in 110 countries, causing overall global cases to increase by 20% and deaths have risen in three of the six WHO regions even as the global figure remains relatively stable stated Tedros.
Tedros said “This pandemic is changing but it’s not over. We have made progress but it’s not over.”
“Do I think countries should continue to vaccinate 70 percent of the population, starting with the most vulnerable?
Yes, I do. If we don’t share the fruits of science equitably, then we undercut the philosophy that all lives have equal worth.” said Tedros.
On Monkeypox, while the Emergency Committee did not advise that the current outbreak represents a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, they acknowledged the emergency nature of the event and that controlling the further spread requires intense response efforts Tedros remarked.
Tedros added, “WHO is actively working with LGBTQI+ communities to do just that and we encourage groups to get in touch with us if we can support.”
“Finally, in light of the decision by the US Supreme Court overturning the ‘Roe v Wade’, I want to reaffirm WHO’s position.
All women should have the right to choose when it comes to their bodies and health. Full stop.
Safe abortion IS health care.
It saves lives. Restricting it drives women and girls towards unsafe abortions; resulting in complications, even death.
The evidence is irrefutable.
Limiting access to safe abortion costs lives and has a major impact, particularly on women from the poorest and most marginalized communities.
Over the last 40 years, the global trend is toward women having greater access to safe abortion and while last week was a setback, it is more important than ever to come together to protect women’s right to safe abortion – everywhere.” concluded Tedros.
