Quest to end Covid and HIV pandemics - Mirage News

Stories like this remind us that COVID-19 did not meet a world free from health crises.

From 24 to 26 October, nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, global health leaders across sectors will gather in Berlin, Germany, for the World Health Summit.

What lessons can we draw from responding to COVID-19, HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, Ebola and other health emergencies.

And how can we enhance systems for health around the world and build a global health architecture that serves us all, leaving no one behind.

Early responses to HIV took place in emergency mode-but in rapidly building our capacities, the AIDS response has built clinics and labs, expanded the health and science workforces and supported community-led systems that have been critical in the COVID-19 response.

We now know that these elements have been imperative for broader pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The lessons and solidarity from the AIDS response are being ignored as rich countries refuse to share the COVID-19 vaccine production technologies and know-how.

To end AIDS and end COVID-19, we need to end inequalities, which requires a whole-of-society approach-where communities are at the centre of prevention, preparedness and response.

We owe them adaptable systems capable of addressing the multi-dimensional aspects of pandemic prevention and preparedness.

Ultimately, we need a synergized, coordinated public health and development response that will allow us to end the two current, colliding pandemics and be better prepared for the next