\n<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization (WHO) released its \u201cZero Draft<\/a>\u201d of the Pandemic Treaty in February 2023. <\/p>\n At the time, the Draft was considered a \u201cWHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (WHO CA+).\u201d<\/p>\n Many have warned that U.S. freedoms would be at stake if the nation enters into the treaty. The Biden administration, however, seems to be keen on entering a \u201cglobal health security partnership,\u201d according to a December 30, 2023 fact sheet<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Biden-Harris Administration continues to prioritize global health security as a critical component of national biodefense,\u201d the fact sheet reads, adding, \u201cThe United States partners with countries around the world to build stronger global health security capacity \u2013 the ability to prevent, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from new and emerging public health threats and prevent their spread across borders. Partnering with countries to stop infectious disease threats at their source, including by strengthening equitable health systems in their own countries and across regions, effectively protects the health of Americans and people across the world.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy 2025, the United States is committed to directly supporting at least 50 countries to strengthen and achieve regional, national and local capacity in five critical areas to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats,\u201d the fact sheet notes.<\/p>\n American Faith previously reported<\/a> that future WHO proposals could result in unprecedented authority being given to the organization, jeopardizing medical freedom.<\/p>\n Former World Health Organization (WHO) medical officer Doctor David Bell and Chair in Global Health Policy at the University of Leeds, Director of the World Health Organization Collaborative Centre on Health Systems and Health Security Professor Garrett Wallace Brown\u00a0spoke<\/a>\u00a0to members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (AAPG) regarding the WHO\u2019s Pandemic Treaty and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR).<\/p>\n \u201cThe WHO was established in 1946 with the best of intentions, to help coordinate responses to major health issues and advise governments accordingly,\u201d Bell told the APPG. \u201cOver the decades we have seen a significant change in direction as funding streams have shifted to private \u2018specified funding,\u2019 particularly from private donors.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis has led to the WHO becoming a far more centralized and externally-directed body in which private and corporate funders shape and direct programs. What we have also seen shifting is the definition of a health emergency, making it extremely broad,\u201d Bell continued.<\/p>\n He voiced his concerns: \u201cIt is a worrying background against which the IHR amendments and the Treaty are being negotiated.\u201d<\/p>\n