WHO has appointed a new Ambassador for Global Health Financing. The appointed Ambassador is none other than Former UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Gordon Brown is acclaimed for preventing a second Great Depression. He achieved this through his stewardship of the 2009 London G20 summit. He mobilized world leaders to commit to restoring growth, jobs, and credit. He was successful and got them to commit an additional $1.1 trillion to help the economy.
Mr. Brown has also worked towards curbing the Coronavirus pandemic in the world. He has called on wealthy nations and private sectors to help. He urged them to ensure equal distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines. The World Health Organization Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised Mr. Brown for his accomplishments. He called him a champion for urging the world’s major economies to help. Their help would protect health and prevent future outbreaks of diseases.
“I am delighted and honoured that Gordon Brown has agreed to serve as WHO Ambassador for Global Health Financing. In this role, he will elevate and support WHO’s work to raise awareness internationally on the great need for sustained global health financing, particularly from G20 and G7 countries. As a longtime friend of Gordon’s, I know that he will bring his sharp intellect, firm commitment and deep sense of justice to this Ambassadorship.” Dr. Tedros stated.
“I have a tremendous personal regard for Dr Tedros with whom I first worked two decades ago, and I am delighted to be able to help his and the World Health Organization’s work raising global finance to ensure everyone has access to health. Our immediate task is to work together to finance the vaccination of the whole world and protect the poorest countries from the terrible effects of COVID-19 and other diseases.” Mr. Brown responded.
Gordon Brown is currently drawing awareness to the potential waste of COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that over 100 million COVID-19 vaccines are due to expire by December. These vaccines will go to waste if global leaders do not share their surplus supplies with poorer countries. A research group called Airfinity reports that 7bn vaccine doses will be available around the world by the end of the month. This number could rise to 12bn by December 2021.
Brown is calling for a vaccine release plan to provide “use now” vaccines to prevent wasting vaccines.
