The International Mechanisms On Preventing And Controlling On Iinfectious Diseases

The International Health Regulations 2005(IHR2005),a main legal tool of the international community to address the globalization of infectious diseases,has been working on balancing public health security and international economic development.The outbreak and spread of COVID-19 has plunged the world into a combined crisis.Borders have closed,businesses shuttered,tens of millions of travelers are stranded at the border and daily life brought to a standstill.The fragility of the existing international mechanisms for the prevention and control of infectious diseases has been exposed.By reviewing the specific provisions of the IHR2005 on the international mechanism for the prevention and control of infectious diseases and reviewing WHO’s practical experience in fighting COVID-19,it is easy to find that the existing international mechanism for the prevention and control of infectious diseases is facing many difficulties.The failure of the information flow mechanism,the decision-making dilemma of the global public health risk alarm--“Public Health emergencies of International Concern(PHEIC)”,excessive and unreasonable travel and trade restriction measures taken by States parties,inefficient operation of international cooperation and assistance,which further reduced the role of the IHR2005 in the prevention and control of infectious diseases.In the context of global health governance,it is a high time to revise the international prevention and control mechanism of infectious diseases under the IHR2005.More detailed provisions should be clear in text of IHR2005 on the core capacity building of States parties,the transparency and flexibility of decision-making in PHEIC mechanisms,criteria for the application of additional health measures,and international cooperation and assistance obligations of States parties.At the same time,a reward mechanism for compliance and a punishment mechanism for breaching IHR2005 shall be formulated and multi-channel financing mechanisms should be established to ensure the implementation of the IHR2005.As a supporter of multilateralism and a state party to the IHR2005,China should uphold the concept of “a community with a shared future for mankind” and take an active part in international health governance.Contributing its wisdom to international multilateral actions,and timely promote the effective alignment of the IHR2005 and its domestic laws.So as to present the image of a rising country and responsible power in the field of international public health.