Klaus Iohannis spoke again today about the very big problems facing Romania due to the Coronavirus pandemic that hit the whole country, and he says that the third wave is more virulent, and has put the medical system in an extremely difficult situation.
Exactly one year ago, we were forced, due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, to mark the signing of a new Biennial Collaboration Agreement in a unique, virtual format. Today, the celebration of World Health Day brings us together, reaffirming the solid bilateral partnership and sharing the hope to return to normal as soon as possible.
I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. Regional Director, on the way you have guided the region's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Romania appreciates the essential contribution of the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization in these difficult moments.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Currently, the infection rate is increasing across Europe. Too many people are losing their fight against the virus every day, many others are getting sick and need to be hospitalized.
Romania, like other countries, is facing a virulent epidemiological wave, which it must resist.
Health systems around the world are under tremendous pressure, and the acceptance and compliance of sanitary measures by all citizens remain critical points and represent proof of responsibility and maturity of each of us.
The sustainable and safe reopening of our societies and economies cannot be possible without compliance with these measures.
The COVID-19 pandemic came at a difficult time for the Romanian health system, exacerbating chronic structural vulnerabilities with long-term consequences for health and well-being. But no health system and no economy or society, regardless of the level of development, was truly prepared to adequately manage a crisis of this magnitude.
Without having the financial and material resources of other European Union member states, nor a high-performing health system, Romania has proven that it has the institutional capacity to act quickly, timely and effectively to limit the spread of the pandemic.
Today we have real reasons for optimism and the hope of entering a new normal, because we have the COVID vaccines at our disposal. Immunization of the population through vaccination remains the only viable tool to stop the pandemic, but sustained joint efforts are needed to keep the virus under control until high levels of vaccine coverage are achieved.
Unfortunately, current strategies to combat pandemics focus on controlling diseases only after they occur. However, the events of the last year show us that a change of approach is needed both at the national and international level.
We must be better prepared to anticipate and respond effectively and in a coordinated manner to emerging threats to public health. At the same time, we must step up efforts globally to reduce the risk of pandemics.
Almost all pandemics that have occurred over time and 70% of emerging diseases have been caused by microorganisms of animal origin, which migrate through high contact from animals to humans. This migration is facilitated by an unhealthy relationship with the environment by diminishing natural habitats and destroying biodiversity, exploiting wild animals or causing major climate change.
The effects of climate change on public health are serious and will become extremely serious if we do not address them. Here is a topic that I know is of personal interest to you as well, Mr. Kluge. Climate change alters disease transmission seasons and alters ecological conditions, increasing the risk of water-, insect- and animal-borne diseases.
Romania is also exposed to the risks of extreme weather phenomena, increased temperatures, drought and weather-caused fires. The increase in urbanization and the aging of the population are factors that increase vulnerability to extremely high temperatures, and climate change exacerbates especially cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diseases with a high incidence in Romania.
The effects of climate change are therefore dramatic and have a direct effect on our health. For this reason, we have no moment to lose in acting not only to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, but also to limit future illnesses caused by environmental damage. This pandemic has shown us how high the human and financial costs can be if timely and effective investments in prevention services were not made for vulnerable groups, those who will also suffer the most as a result of climate change.
Dear guests,
In the current context, where we are facing all these challenges, the "One Health" principle is more relevant than ever and emphasizes the need to synchronize agendas in the fields of environmental protection and health, both at the level of states and at the global level.
The cooperation and solidarity of the entire international community is our common response to a challenge of such magnitude, and the World Health Organization is a cornerstone in guiding this process.
