On May 6, 2024, the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Andalas welcomed a distinguished visiting professor who presented an impactful lecture on the importance of enhancing global preparedness for future pandemics. The lecture highlighted seven essential focus areas, emphasizing the critical steps required to be better equipped for the next health crisis.
The session began with a review of two major recent pandemics, H1N1 in 2009–2010 and COVID-19, which began in 2019. These events underscored global unpreparedness, as noted in reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), which concluded that the world was not adequately equipped to handle such crises. This reflection served as a foundational reminder of the urgent need to build more resilient systems to prevent and manage inevitable future pandemics.
The professor stressed that while we do not know when or what kind of disease will spark the next pandemic, the international community must be ready. Potential future pandemic-causing pathogens may include coronaviruses, influenza strains, and zoonotic diseases such as Ebola, Marburg, and Zika. A significant focus was placed on the development of vaccines for these “pandemic candidates,” with an ambitious goal of achieving vaccine readiness within 100 days of initial laboratory research.
In the context of treatment, the professor discussed the importance of creating therapies capable of preventing viruses from entering cells, replicating, and causing severe damage. Advances in such treatments would be crucial in minimizing the impact of future outbreaks.
The lecture concluded with a call for stronger international regulations, noting that the WHO is currently discussing a Pandemic Treaty and potential amendments to the International Health Regulations. These measures aim to ensure equitable access and fairness among nations in managing global health crises. The session ended with an encouraging message, urging the world to prepare better through collaboration, dedicated research, and robust health regulations.
Date: May 6, 2024
Location: Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Andalas, Indonesia
Event Host: Universitas Andalas
