G20 of Twenty Finance Ministers and Centra : Health Ministers Declaration

Statement

G20 Health Ministers' Declaration

November 19, 2020

We reaffirm the right of every human being to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition, as set forth in the World Health Organization's (WHO) constitution. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health emergency, reminding us of our interconnectedness and vulnerabilities. We echo our Leaders' commitment to presenting a united front against this common threat. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic response requires worldwide solidarity and an urgent global effort. We call for a global response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Resilient, strong, responsive, inclusive and sustainable health systems are critical for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). UHC promotes wellbeing for all, which underpins human capital development, sustainable economic growth, prosperity and stability of countries, and contributes to achieving global health security. Achieving UHC is therefore paramount to G20 members.
2. We recall our commitment to achieve UHC, as a target adopted in the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the important role of countries' following their own paths in line with national contexts and priorities to UHC, guided by the principle of leaving no one behind, reaching the furthest behind first. We note the political declaration of the High-Level Meeting on UHC: "UHC: Moving Together to Build a Healthier World" and renew our commitment to achieve this goal, in particular by strengthening primary health care. We acknowledge the importance of increased coordination of global health actors and reaffirm our support to the 'Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-Being for all'. We recognize the importance of sustainable financing for health and we bear in mind the key considerations in the "G20 Shared Understanding Document on the Importance of UHC Financing in Developing Countries" at the Joint Session of Health and Finance Ministers in Osaka.
3. We therefore commit to scaling up innovative approaches to move towards the achievement of UHC through resilient, sustainable, person and community centered, gender-sensitive health systems focusing on risk factors for poor health outcomes and equitable access to health services including access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. By shaping the next frontier for health, and empowering people, we can help ensure all people lead healthy and productive lives.

Pandemic Preparedness and Response

4. We acknowledge that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is causing large- scale loss of life, severe human suffering and widespread disruption to economies and societies. We recognize that health threats caused by infectious diseases pose significant risks not only to public health but also to security, stability, sustainability and inclusive growth. This pandemic calls for an urgent whole-of-society, multisectoral including private sector and whole-of-government coordination of national efforts. Furthermore, requires vigorous and coordinated political leadership and collective action at the G20 and global

Statement

G20 Health Ministers' Declaration

November 19, 2020

level to end the pandemic. As well as mitigate the severe economic and social impacts of this crisis, particularly on the most vulnerable, and to recover stronger.

1. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted systemic weaknesses in health systems and has shown vulnerabilities in the global community's ability to prevent and respond to pandemic threats. The COVID-19 pandemic confirms the need to reinforce and deliver on commitments to strengthen national health systems, including strengthening preparedness, prevention, detection and response capacities, in line with the WHO's International Health Regulation (IHR 2005). The COVID-19 pandemic also highlights the economic imperative of strong health systems. We commit to initiate a process that will pull together the key lessons learned of this crisis. We acknowledge the secondary impacts of COVID-19 across economies, livelihoods, education, health including mental health and other sectors, and especially the impact on women, children and vulnerable groups, and that all countries must prepare and respond accordingly.
2. We remain determined to address the most urgent priority of minimizing the loss of life and health impacts on individuals and communities, particularly for the most vulnerable and high-risk populations and the most affected countries in need of health support. We will cooperate and coordinate on early alert of outbreaks and timely information-sharing according to IHR (2005); containment measures; community engagement and public communication; research and development as well as promoting increased production for new diagnostics; laboratory testing; treatments and vaccines; supporting efficient, optimal access to quality medical equipment and supplies for all, especially in areas where the need is highest. We will strive to minimize collateral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic related to broader health outcomes.
3. We have identified urgent actions that need to be taken to minimize the health, societal and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as continue to share national best practices in line with the G20 Extraordinary Leaders' Statement on COVID-19.
4. We reaffirm our support for strengthening health emergency preparedness, prevention, detection, and response at national, regional, and global levels, in full compliance with the IHR (2005), and emphasize the importance of adequate and sustainable financing to strengthen our health systems' abilities i.e. adequate health infrastructure, lab testing capability and adequate human resources to prevent, detect, mitigate and respond to outbreaks.
5. We emphasize the important mandates of the United Nations' systems and agencies, primarily the WHO while considering the ongoing evaluations, its stated commitment to transparency, and the need to strengthen its overall effectiveness in coordinating and supporting the global response to the pandemic and the central efforts of member states therein. We look forward to the work of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPR) and the IHR review committee on evaluating the

Statement

G20 Health Ministers' Declaration

November 19, 2020

global health response to the COVID-19 pandemic as outlines in the World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution on COVID-19. We also recognize the importance of the IHR (2005) and the need to ensure their full implementation by all member states. The COVID- 19 pandemic highlights the need for increased preparedness to enable efficient responses, especially in countries with vulnerable health systems.

1. We recognize the paramount efforts and total commitment of health professionals in managing the crisis, and the price paid in terms of human lives. We appreciate health professionals and other front liners contribution to the response against the pandemic. We commit to supporting efforts to improve the timely and adequate availability of preventive measures for all people involved in healthcare activities and to revise health staffing policies, where needed in accordance with national context and priorities, and to promote the systematic training of all health professionals both in the preventive and assistance sectors.
2. We recognize the fundamental role played by our populations in adhering to policies aimed at slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, such as physical distancing which temporarily change our lifestyles. We also recognize the role played by volunteers in ensuring essential services during this crisis. We commit to strengthen community engagement and collaboration with civil society associations in the current response and preparedness improvement for any future health emergency.
3. We commit to enhance and encourage research into the development of new tools and technologies to better predict and model potential pandemic events, rapidly develop and deploy, and promote access to affordable, safe, effective, and quality medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical equipment and supplies and personal protective equipment for frontline workers. We also commit to leveraging existing digital technologies as well as the digital based service delivery wherever possible in efforts to improve the efficacy of prevention, risk mitigation, crisis communications, and response measures, through both public and private resources.
4. We recognize the need for sustainable and innovative financing, human resources and institutional capacities to support pandemic preparedness and that investments in preparedness further social and economic benefits. We fulfilled our commitment to review, together with the G20 Finance Ministers, the assessment of gaps in pandemic preparedness that the WHO underwent, in cooperation with relevant international organizations as requested by G20 Leaders in March 2020.
5. We call for a global response and a sustainable solution to the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic response requires worldwide solidarity and urgent global effort. We encourage all countries and donors to contribute to all relevant global health security mechanisms. We recognize that it is far more cost-effective to invest in

Statement

G20 Health Ministers' Declaration

November 19, 2020

sustainable financing for country preparedness and IHR (2005) compliance than to pay the costs of responding to outbreaks, and that investing in this could eventually reduce the need to use global financing mechanisms for responding to health emergencies. We also recognize that, in many countries, the fight against COVID-19 will leverage its resources used to fight other endemic diseases. We encourage sustainable funding of these existing programs and efficient use of resources at country-level.

1. We commit to further support countries with weaker health systems in the fight against COVID-19. G20 should ensure that COVID-19 does not threaten gains made in reaching SDG 3, including health systems strengthening, surveillance for emerging infectious diseases, and the important mission of tackling other infectious and neglected tropical diseases. We acknowledge the role played by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in supporting countries to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 derailing progress on HIV, TB and malaria and encourage the Global Fund to continue using funding flexibilities to support COVID-19 responses in countries. In many countries, the fight against COVID- 19 also draws from the same resources used to fight polio. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, with thousands of polio workers, and an extensive laboratory and surveillance network, has the capacity to support countries in their preparedness and response. It will be important for all countries to support this collaboration and the efficient use of resources at country-level.
2. We encourage the rapid development of internationally shared guidelines on therapies for COVID-19 infected people in hospital and other settings with specific protocols for vulnerable groups and of the urgent need to maintain continuity and utilization of essential services for people affected by other life-threatening illnesses and health conditions during the COVID-19 response.
3. We recognize the need for a gender-sensitive response to the crisis. Women make up 70% of the global health workforce, and often serve as the primary caregiver for the sick, nevertheless they represent only 25% of the global health leadership. Incidents of violence against women and girls are already increasing as a result of this crisis and therefore prevention and response measures must be prioritized.
4. We recognize the need, consistent with the freedom of expression, to address the spread of disinformation, misinformation, rumors and myths that undermine the public health response and we support the dissemination of evidence-based information and contextually adapted public health action based on science.
5. We recognize the imperative of developing and ensuring equitable access to new diagnostics capabilities, vaccines, therapeutics and other medical emergency countermeasures for infectious diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential, and the role that voluntary contributions and innovative mechanisms for international global health collaboration are playing in developing and deploying life-saving interventions. In