Dr Ashley Bloomfield warns pandemic risks persist, WHO vital

Dr Ashley Bloomfield has spent two decades working in and alongside the World Health Organisation, long enough to see both its strengths and its structural flaws. After co-chairing the complex revision of the International Health Regulations, he is offering a defence of the agency as global institutions are facing growing political scrutiny.

Bloomfield revealed that the negotiations to update the regulations stretched over more than 40 days and frequently ran into the night. The revised framework was unanimously adopted in June 2024, which was an outcome he said depended heavily on the persistence and technical expertise of WHO staff working behind the scenes.

Advertisement
    
    This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.
  
    Advertisement
    Why this ad?
      
        Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉

While praising their efforts, Bloomfield did not shy away from criticism of the organisation itself. He described the WHO as highly bureaucratic and conceded that meaningful reform has been discussed for years with little to show for it. Responsibility for that slow progress, he argued, does not lie solely with officials in Geneva. Member states retain decisive control over budgets and priorities effectively making change difficult when 194 governments must agree.

“The updated Regulations were agreed unanimously in June. This was only possible with the support of hard working, excellent WHO staff,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post.

“And yes, the organisation desperately needs reform, something that has been on the agenda for the last 20 years with limited progress,” adding that this was “actually the responsibility of Member States, which retain decision rights, including over the budget and how it is spent.”

The agency’s leadership structure also came under scrutiny in his remarks. Although most WHO staff are not elected, its Director-General and six Regional Directors are chosen by member states through political processes similar to those used in national governments. Bloomfield said this distinction is often overlooked in public debate.

Advertisement
    
    This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.
  
    Advertisement
    Why this ad?
      
        Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉

Against that backdrop, he warned that the world cannot afford to weaken the WHO. Pandemic threats remain ever present, and at any given moment the WHO is managing responses to dozens of disease outbreaks, humanitarian crises and health emergencies across multiple regions.

“Major global health risks, including future pandemics, have not gone away,” he wrote. “At any point in time, WHO is responding to literally dozens of outbreaks and other health and humanitarian emergencies around the globe.”

Image: Dr Ashley Bloomfield, then Director-General of Health, speaks during a COVID-19 media briefing. (Supplied / Samuel Hudson / Quiet Pact Network)

For countries like New Zealand, Bloomfield said the world was “better off, safer and healthier” with the WHO. Surveillance systems, early-warning networks and emergency coordination depend on sustained international collaboration. In his assessment, dismantling or sidelining the WHO would leave nations more isolated and dangerously exposed when the next crisis emerges.

Bloomfield’s conclusion was blunt. Despite its frustrations, delays and political complexity, he believes the organisation makes the world safer.

“It’s in all our interests to see its work continue,” he said.

Support Brief Banner

Keep independent journalism going.

We are independent and committed to bringing authentic reporting to the people.

Advertisement
    
    This ad is not available right now due to a network issue or pending review with the Google Advertisement Network. Please check back later.
  
    Advertisement
    Why this ad?
      
        Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉

thisquality is built for the people and powered by their support. People like you reading this free article help us remain a strong and independent platform within New Zealand's media landscape.

I'd like to donate

About thisquality

Advertisement

Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉