India’s proposed amendments to IHR demand greater equity in access to healthcare, accountability of WHO.

• During first meeting of Working Group on amendments to International Health Regulations (IHR), India had proposed several amendments like:
  • Implement IHR in accordance with common but differentiated responsibilities of States Parties, taking into consideration their social and economic development
  • Assess human health in congruence with animal and environment health to promote One Health.
  • India also sought a provision for an intermediate public health alert in the event where an outbreak doesn’t yet meet the criteria for a public health emergency of international concern but requires timely mitigating measures.
  • Drawing on the learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic, India argues for “equitable access to medical countermeasures.”
  • India also sought greater accountability from the World Health Organization (WHO) in how the IHR is implemented and whether Member States are complying.
  • It proposed the Director-General report all activities under the IHR to the World Health Assembly, particular instances when Member States did not share information.
• Working group is expected to submit its report by January 2024.

About IHR

• International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005 is a legally binding agreement of 196 countries to build capability to detect and report potential public health emergencies worldwide.
  • IHR require that all countries have ability to detect, assess, report, and respond to public health events.