This article, published by Health Policy Watch, delves into the practical questions surrounding the implementation of the pandemic agreement, particularly focusing on how countries’ pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPPR) will be financed. It highlights the debate within the latest pandemic agreement draft regarding the establishment of a “Coordinating Financial Mechanism” to support its implementation and the International Health Regulations (IHR). The key question revolves around whether this mechanism should be hosted by the Pandemic Fund, the World Health Organization (WHO), or a new entity.
The article features insights from Professor Garrett Wallace Brown, Chair of Global Health Policy at the University of Leeds, who emphasizes the need for a representative and inclusive decision-making process regarding the financing mechanism. It also discusses the perspectives of stakeholders such as the Pandemic Fund’s Priya Basu and highlights concerns raised by experts regarding debt issues, corporate interests, and the importance of maintaining domestic public health priorities.
Moreover, the article examines the challenges and limitations associated with each potential host for the financing mechanism, including the WHO’s capacity and the transparency issues surrounding the Pandemic Fund. Ultimately, it underscores the complexity of the decision-making process and the necessity for thorough analysis and evidence-based approaches in determining the most effective financing mechanism for pandemic prevention and response.
