When the United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken laid out the Biden Administration’s diplomatic plans on March 3, the first item was to “stop COVID-19 and strengthen global health security.” Experts have long warned about pandemics, but countries often failed to make it a top priority.
While COVID-19 may change that, there needs to be an understanding that global health security is a bigger issue than any one pandemic, and too narrow a focus could lead to failure. Leaders may want to consider three additional items as they develop their strategies to prepare for such health threats: other diseases, social determinants of health, and logistics.
The full op-ed, published by Devex, can be accessed here.
Read More
Perspectives Blogs Related to COVID-19
Localised Solutions to Water Security in Papua New Guinea
Locally led infrastructure and governance approaches have stabilized access to clean water, supported schools and rural markets, and built long-term community ownership.
In Southeast Asia, Private Capital Unlocks Small Business Growth
Through the Australia-supported Investing in Women initiative, Abt connected private capital with high-potential small and medium enterprises, strengthening access to finance and building more resilient labor markets across the region.
Infrastructure Projects in Papua New Guinea: Joyce Tiaga’s Story
Infrastructure projects across Papua New deliver new or improved facilities and create opportunities for local workers and businesses.
Strengthening Rehabilitation as an Essential Health Service in Cambodia
With Abt’s support, Cambodia is expanding rehabilitation as an essential health service to improve health care for people with disabilities and GBV survivors.