Speaking at the GAVI Summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Robert Abela underlined the necessity of international solidarity and equitable access to medical care.
Speaking next to other European leaders at the event cohosted by the European Commission and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Abela emphasized the obligation of world leaders to make sure that life-saving vaccinations and drugs are available to all people, regardless of income or location.
Looking back on the world’s reaction to the COVID-19 epidemic, the Prime Minister observed that the crisis showed how important global collaboration and coordinated health initiatives were in saving lives. Still, he warned that continual geopolitical instability sharpens inequities in essential healthcare access.
Stronger health systems and cooperative strategies across sectors are advocated by Abela, who also called for a revived worldwide commitment to support GAVI’s mission, hence better ready for future global health threats.
Although acknowledging the contribution of the private sector to pharmaceutical innovation, he underlined that it is ultimately governments that are responsible for guaranteeing GAVI’s long-term success by consistent political and financial backing.
