Statement on the third meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

A third meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) Emergency Committee regarding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), met by teleconference on Thursday, 30 April 2020. Membership of the Committee was expanded to reflect the nature of the pandemic and the need to include additional areas of expertise. 

Guided by briefings on the regional and the global situation overview by the WHO Regional Emergency Directors and the Executive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) and the ensuing discussion, the Committee unanimously agreed that the outbreak still constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) and offered advice to the Director-General.

The Director-General declared that the outbreak of COVID-19 continues to constitute a PHEIC. He accepted the advice of the Committee to WHO and issued the Committee’s advice to States Parties as Temporary Recommendations under the IHR. 

The Emergency Committee will be reconvened within three months or earlier, at the discretion of the Director-General. The Director-General thanked the Committee for its work. 

Note: Guidance to WHO on ‘Essential Health Services’ includes the following, of relevance to sexual and reproductive health and rights:

• Support countries to assess and manage the unintended consequences of public health measures implemented to control the COVID-19 pandemic, including gender-based violence and child neglect. 

• Support countries to monitor their ability to provide and strengthen essential health services throughout a likely extended COVID-19 response. This should include, but is not limited to… services related to reproductive health, including care during pregnancy and childbirth; care of vulnerable populations, such as young infants and older adults; provision of medications and supplies for the ongoing management of chronic diseases, including mental health conditions;

• Support countries to address shortages of essential medicines and health products, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies and to establish sustainable risk management practices to prevent future shortages.

At the same time countries should, maintain these services, as part of essential health services throughout a likely extended COVID-19 response and continue to track and document the impact of COVID-19 on essential health services.

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