The World Health Organization has urged for global COVID-19 vaccine equality and for countries to build a fairer, healthier world post-pandemic as part of five calls to action to mark World Health Day on Wednesday.
The organization said that within countries, illness and death from COVID-19 have been higher among groups who face discrimination, poverty, social exclusion, and adverse daily living and working conditions - including humanitarian crises.
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But as countries continue to fight the pandemic, it has said a unique opportunity has emerged to build back better a fairer, healthier world by implementing existing commitments, resolutions, and agreements while also making new and bold commitments.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has thrived amid the inequalities in our societies and the gaps in our health systems,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general. “It is vital for all governments to invest in strengthening their health services and to remove the barriers that prevent so many people from using them, so more people have the chance to live healthy lives.”
WHO has issued five calls for action as it marks World Health Day.