One Planet, One Health

Swiss School students attended a public lecture by former WHO Director-General, Dr. Margaret Chan

In her lecture, organized by the Institute for Global Health, Dr. Margaret Chan, Dean of the Wanke School of Public Health at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and former Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), addressed the critical topic of the availability and cost of vaccines and medicines as common global commodities. The lecture aimed to emphasise the importance of making these critical resources available to the entire population.

Dr. Chan began her presentation by highlighting the role of vaccines and medicines as a commons essential to the well-being of the world’s population. She stated that universal health coverage is the key to making these essential tools accessible and affordable to all, regardless of geographic and socio-economic barriers. Drawing parallels with examples from climate change and the ongoing COVID-19 virus pandemic, Dr. Chan illustrated the urgent need for a unified global approach to health. She noted the parallels between addressing environmental challenges and combating infectious diseases, emphasising that both require collective action and equitable access to health resources.

Following her presentation, Dr. Chan participated in a dynamic discussion with students from different countries, which provided a fresh perspective on the issue. The event emphasized the need for collaborative efforts, that access to vaccines and medicines is not only a national challenge, but also a shared responsibility of the international community. As the world grapples with evolving health crises, the ideas expressed during the lecture pave the way for a more connected and sustainable global health system.