It is 5 years since Covid-19 emerged
WHO marks the milestone
On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) received its first report of a novel viral pneumonia in Wuhan, China. This marked the beginning of a global health crisis known as Covid-19. The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission’s statement, published on its website, signalled the onset of a pandemic that would shape the world for years to come.
As the new year began, WHO swiftly acted. Emergency systems were activated on January 1, 2020, and by January 4, 2020, the organisation informed the global community of the emerging threat.
Within days, WHO began publishing guidance for countries on how to respond to the outbreak. Comprehensive guidance was shared by January 9-12, 2020; by January 13, 202, the first blueprint for the Sars-CoV-2 laboratory test was published in collaboration with WHO partners.
Throughout the pandemic, WHO worked tirelessly with global experts, ministries of health, and international partners. Data was gathered and analysed, with information shared to help nations understand the virus and its impact. As the pandemic unfolded, WHO remained at the forefront, coordinating efforts and facilitating global cooperation to combat the disease.
As WHO reflects on this milestone, the organisation pauses to remember the lives lost and those who continue to suffer from Covid-19 and long Covid-19. Gratitude is owed to the health workers who selflessly cared for others during this unprecedented crisis.
The pandemic has underscored the importance of transparency and cooperation in global health. WHO continues to urge China to share crucial data to help determine the origins of Covid-19, stressing the scientific and moral imperative of transparency. Without this, future preparedness for pandemics will be hampered.
Looking ahead, the world must ask: Are we better prepared for the next pandemic? WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has raised this question, emphasising the need for global solidarity, information sharing, and stronger health systems to protect humanity from future outbreaks. As the world continues to heal from the ravages of Covid-19, lessons learned must guide efforts towards a healthier, more resilient future.
Hero image: By January 4, 2020, WHO informed the global community of the emerging health threat. Credit: Nandhu Kumar
