Chan: We were too slow with Ebola — but corrections were quickly made

Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organisation, says the world body made mistakes with its response towards the Ebola outbreak but quickly made corrections.

Chan made this statement while delivering her last opening remarks as WHO director-general at the 70th world health assembly.

“WHO was too slow to recognize that the virus, during its first appearance in West Africa, would behave very differently than during past outbreaks in central Africa, where the virus was rare but familiar and containment measures were well-rehearsed.

“But WHO made quick course corrections, brought the three outbreaks under control, and gave the world its first Ebola vaccine that confers substantial protection. This happened on my watch, and I am personally accountable,” she said.

Chan said the political and economic outlook is much less optimistic than it was when she took office in 2007 and condemned attacks on healthcare facilities and workers.

“As I speak to you, the political and economic outlook is much less optimistic than it was when I took office in 2007,” she noted.

“That was before the 2008 financial crisis changed the economic outlook from prosperity to austerity almost overnight, with effects on economies and health budgets that are still being felt.

“That was before acts of international terrorism and violent extremism became commonplace, before seemingly endless armed conflicts caused the largest population displacements and flights of refugees seen since the end of World War II.

“That was before the alarming frequency of attacks on health facilities and aid convoys made a mockery of international humanitarian law. We condemn all these attacks on health care facilities and workers.”

Chan said the world has never been so close to the eradication of polio and guinea worm disease adding that vaccine refusal is one of the reason the full potential of vaccines has not been realised.