Source:- The Lancet Global Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives, but it has not yet compelled substantial changes to the legal landscape of global health. Several proposals to revise the International Health Regulations (IHR) were put forward for discussion at the 75th World Health Assembly (WHA, May 22-28, 2022). The most ambitious revisions, proposed by the USA, included rapid sharing of pathogen genetic sequence data and introducing shorter deadlines for reporting and responding to emerging threats. However, the whole set of US amendments was not immediately adopted at the Assembly. Instead, a resolution on “a process for a process” and a shortened timeline for updating the IHR were approved. Moreover, states are invited to submit amendment proposals by September, and the debate on the IHR reform is likely to continue until the 77th WHA.