WHO member countries agree to independent probe of UN agency's COVID-19 response

Member states of World Health Organisation (WHO) have agreed to an independent investigation into COVID-19 response of UN health ncy. Countries opted resolution by consensus on May 19 at World Health Assembly (WHA) calling for an “impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation” of global response of virus outbreak and an inquiry into actions of WHO and “timelines pertaining to COVID-19 pandemic”.

resolution was brought by European Union following a push by Australia and found over 60 backers including India. On May 18, WHO chief Tedros ham Ghebreyesus welcomed resolution and emphasised that such evaluation must encompass entirety of response by all actors, in good faith. 

“We welcome proposed resolution before World Health Assembly, which calls for a step-wise process of impartial, independent & comprehensive evaluation,” said top WHO official.

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China called it 'premature'

However, China h expressed its reservation against probe into COVID-19 as pandemic is t over yet. Ahe of WHA meeting, China expectedly voiced strong objection to resolution saying it was "premature" to launch a probe into origin of COVID-19.

At WHA, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that Beijing supports a comprehensive review of global response to pandemic led by UN health ncy but only after coronavirus is brought under control. Xi asserted that China has been open and transparent about virus outbreak from beginning and will support a probe if it is conducted in an objective and impartial manner.

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