The Director General (Dirjen) of the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the termination of the status Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for COVID-19 presented at the fifteenth meeting International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on Friday (5/5).
Reported from the official WHO website, this decision was made based on several things, namely by considering the current decline in the COVID-19 situation globally, the WHO Director General accepted the recommendation of the IHR Emergency Committee to stop the PHEIC status. There are 3 criteria in determining PHEIC, namely unusual/extraordinary events, poses a risk to international health and requires cross-country coordination. Currently, COVID is no longer considered to be a health emergency. extraordinary/unexpected. Then the use of vaccines, diagnostic tools, drugs that currently have EUL status (Emergency Use Listing) can still be used. While starting to transition to the prequalification process, and COVAX will continue to support and fund the procurement and distribution of vaccines until the end of 2023.
However, the IHR COVID-19 Emergency Committee has proposed several recommendations. Some of the recommendations are to continue preparing global and country capacities for the possibility of a future pandemic, integrating COVID-19 vaccination into national routine vaccination programs (life course vaccination), maintain and improve reporting of pathogens/disease agents with epidemic potential and are used to increase awareness.
Then Strengthening regulations related to the long-term use of vaccines, diagnostic tools and medicines, continuing efforts to communicate risks and involve the community (Risk Communication and Community Engagement), and continued efforts to ease international movement, as well as continued support for research activities.
The Ministry of Health welcomed the decision to end the COVID-19 emergency status. Citing the Ministry of Health's Communication and Public Service Bureau, Indonesia is ready to transition from pandemic to endemic in consultation with WHO.
WHO said that Indonesia's preparation is considered good in facing the transition from pandemic to endemic. WHO also emphasized the need for a transition period for long-term handling of Covid-19. Among them, with health surveillance in the community, and the readiness of health facilities and medicines, as well as preparing other health policies as an effort for national health resilience and preparedness for the possibility of a pandemic in the future.
The government also appreciates all elements of society, including health workers, who have worked hard and sacrificed tirelessly in facing the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nevertheless, vaccination efforts are also ongoing, especially to increase protection for the most at-risk groups. More importantly, the public is urged to continue to pay attention to and implement health protocols. (Yuliana)
doc: Ministry of Health's Communication and Information Bureau
