Question NW2048 to the Minister of Health
09 June 2022 - NW2048
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether any correspondence has taken place between his department and The Presidency regarding the drafting and signing of a World Health Organisation International Pandemic Treaty; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the reasons that he has not brought the specified treaty, and issues related to it, to the Portfolio Committee on Health for discussion?
Reply:
A pandemic treaty is not imminent. Although Member States of the World Health Organization agreed in December 2021 that a new World Health Organisation (WHO) convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response is needed, it will take years of negotiations to reach a final draft. 2024 is the target. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) leading this process will meet before the end of 2022 to discuss and consider a working draft treaty. The outcome of this meeting will determine whether there is a draft document that can be shared.
END.