World Health Organization (WHO) has published a manifesto with practical steps for implementing the prescriptions of the WHO Manifesto for a healthy recovery from COVID-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a manifesto highlighting six steps to take for a healthy recovery from COVID-19.
The aim of the manifesto is to create a healthier, fairer and greener world while investing to maintain and resuscitating the economy hit by the effects of COVID-19.
The first step is to protect and preserve the source of human health which is nature.
Human activities have put pressure on the natural environment and increase the risk that new disease will emerge. Therefore, for a healthy green recovery from COVID-19, more efforts are needed to rethink of the ways natural resources are used.
The second step is to invest in essential services, from water and sanitation to clean energy in healthcare facilities.
Under this step, WHO suggest that more investment should be made in essential services such as handwashing facilities which are essential for the prevention of infectious disease transmission.
The third step is to ensure a quick healthy energy transition.
Under this step, more should be done to transition to clean energy, improve air quality and save lives.
The fourth step is to promote healthy, sustainable food systems.
Diseases caused by either lack of access to food, or consumption of unhealthy, high calorie diets, are among the main cause of global ill health. Therefore, more should be done to support all countries into following WHO’s dietary guidelines.
The fifth step is to build healthy, liveable cities.
As over half of the world’s population now lives in cities, they are responsible for over over 60 per cent of both economic activity and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, more should be done to integrate health into all aspects of urban planning, from sustainable transport to healthy housing.
The sixth step is to stop using taxpayer’s money to fund pollution.
For a green recovery, WHO recommends that people must come together to fight fossil fuel subsidies and protect he surroundings.
