The New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine is very worried about New Zealand’s decision to reject the 2024 changes to the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations. The College believes this is a bad idea and not in New Zealand’s best interest.
International Health Regulations are the main international mechanism for preventing and controlling the spread of disease between countries. They reflect recognition that infectious diseases and other public health risks do not respect borders, and that coordinated global action is critical.
The 2024 amendments were driven by lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and seek to strengthen the global rules around outbreak detection, information sharing, preparedness and emergency coordination. Former Director General of Health, Sir Ashley Bloomfield co-chaired negotiations leading to their adoption by the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
New Zealand is one of only twelve nations which have formally rejected the amendments, and one of only five that have done so without indicating they still intended to accept them at a later date.
College President Sir Collin Tukuitonga is incredulous at New Zealand’s decision. “We know that it is just a matter of time before the next global pandemic arrives. Rejecting amendments that are designed to strengthen global co-ordination on health threats is worse than burying one’s head in the sand – it is positively flipping off the international community, including our partners in the Pacific”.
No information is yet available on why the Government has made this decision. Tukuitonga wants to know the rationale behind the decision. “The Government owes it to New Zealanders to explain why we are rejecting the key international mechanism to strengthen global cooperation on health threats.” In the absence of a valid reason, Tukuitonga says the College intends pushing for New Zealand to withdraw its rejection.
