G20 Health Ministers Discuss Global Integrated Measures to Tackle Threat of COVID-19
The G20 Health Ministers meeting was held on April 19th to further discuss global coordination to combat COVID-19. The Ministers put emphasis on prioritizing the health and well-being of citizens, protecting lives, fighting illnesses, enhancing global health security, and minimizing the pandemic’s socioeconomic impacts.
Health Ministers also acknowledged that COVID-19 crisis has brought out fundamental weaknesses in healthcare systems, drawbacks in the global community’s preventative measures and mitigation plans in response to the pandemic, and the need to strengthen the global healthcare systems’ effectiveness by exchanging expertise and bridging the gap for enhanced response capabilities and preparedness.
Leaders and Ministers at the G20 meeting reiterated concerns relating to threats caused by the pandemic that developing and underdeveloped countries with less capable healthcare and economic infrastructure might face. The Ministers also discussed required strategies to strengthen crisis readiness, significance of using digital solutions in current and future pandemics, and importance of patient safety and enhancing effectiveness in healthcare systems and antimicrobial resistance. The G20 Ministers will take required actions to control COVID-19 pandemic and will reconcile as needed.
