Mpox Response in 2024 is a Litmus Test of Global Solidarity against Inequities
Statement by Dr. José M. Zuniga
President/CEO, IAPAC
August 15, 2024
The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) is compelled to underscore the critical importance of prioritizing access to Mpox vaccines and related healthcare, including prevention, in response to the recent outbreak across African nations. The public health emergency newly declared by Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) demands urgent, equitable, and comprehensive action that transcends the disparities that typically delineate responses in high-income versus low- and middle-income countries. The rapid mobilization of resources, which has been the norm in wealthier nations, must become a global standard, especially in the face of outbreaks that disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations.
The COVID-19 pandemic taught the global community that infectious diseases know no borders. However, it also highlighted the stark inequalities in access to healthcare resources. As we witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, wealthy nations swiftly secured and distributed vaccines, while many African countries and other low- and middle-income nations were left to navigate devastating waves of infection with limited support. This inequitable access to life-saving interventions must not be repeated in the case of Mpox or any future outbreak of an existing or novel disease.
Global solidarity is not merely an ideal; it is an imperative. In the post-COVID-19 era, we have a unique opportunity to redefine how the world responds to public health emergencies. Prioritizing Mpox vaccine access and related care in African countries is a test of our commitment to this solidarity. It is a test of whether we have learned from the inequities laid bare by COVID-19 or if we will allow the same mistakes to perpetuate. The political will and commercial interests that drive health policy in high-income countries must be aligned with the needs of all nations, ensuring that every country has the means to protect its population.
Political and commercial determinants of health play a pivotal role in the distribution of vaccines and healthcare resources. The global community must demand that political leaders and pharmaceutical companies operate under a framework of equity and justice. The right to health is a fundamental human right, and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that this right is upheld universally. No country should be left behind because of economic constraints or geopolitical interests. The mobilization of resources for Mpox in Africa must reflect a global commitment to health equity.
Moreover, this mobilization is not just a matter of healthcare access but of social justice. The disproportionate impact of health crises on African nations and other marginalized communities is rooted in broader social inequities. Addressing these inequities requires more than just vaccines; it necessitates a robust and sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, education, and economic empowerment. Only by addressing these underlying determinants can we ensure that all people, regardless of where they live, have the opportunity to live healthy, dignified lives.
If we are to have learned important lessons from the inequitable global response to COVID-19, the global response to the Mpox outbreak in Africa must be characterized by urgency, equity, and solidarity. This is a moment to demonstrate that the world has learned from the lessons of COVID-19, that we are committed to the human right to health, and that we will fight for a world where health and social equity are not aspirational, but a reality for all. We have the tools, the knowledge, and the responsibility to act—now is the time to do so.
