Committee: World Health Organization
Topic: Ebola
Country: Mexico
Mexico is deeply concerned by the 28,616 cases of Ebola worldwide and the severity of the disease’s infectious spread. Originally appearing in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, Ebola is first transmitted to people from wild animals and then through human-to-human transmission. As a result of lack of communication and education, Ebola has even spread between many counties, most frequently seen in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. With the lack of stable security and mobilization to seek help, the spread within countries is dangerously common. Along with vomiting and diarrhea, Ebola produces extreme inflammation, which causes blood clots proteins to malfunction. This leads to severe internal bleeding and blood leaks from small vessels in the body. Apprehensive for citizens’ health, Mexico’s General Law on Heath states that communicable diseases, such as viral hepatitis and AIDS, as well as diseases characterized as fatal threats, including Ebola, are subject to prevention and control measures executed by the Department of Health (DOH) and state governments in their respective administration. Proving well in Mexico, this law is supported by other federal governments and private health institutions, as well as individuals. Setting such a precedent through federal administration not only puts in place a plan for action in case of an outbreak but also gives citizens comfort for their wellbeing and health. Even if countries are not affected by the Ebola epidemic, Mexico encourages all nations to put in place a general law on infectious diseases to help create awareness and a plan of action. To decrease the spread of Ebola, Mexico goes to great measures on border controls, excessively checking individuals for Ebola and other health concerns.
In response to the severity of the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mexico encourages the administration of the Ebola vaccine, known as Ervebo, to minimize the spread. As of November 12th, 2019, the World Health Organization prequalified the vaccine, meaning it meets the standards for safety, quality, and efficiency. United Nations agencies are planning to produce the vaccine for countries recommended by WHO. This decision was critical, as it opens up a future for greater availability, with licensing doses available in 2020. Aware of this groundbreaking discovery, the delegation of Mexico calls upon non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as the International Medical Corps and Doctors Without Borders—which both already work in Ebola-affected countries, providing proper care and isolation for patients—to cooperate with WHO to make Ervebo available to vulnerable people. Funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and/or the World Bank can be applied to countries that don’t have budgets set aside for treatment and prevention.
Alarmed by the recent Ebola outbreaks, Mexico suggests further education and safety regarding Ebola with the installation of general laws and travel bans instituted in countries, to help minimize the spread. Mexico also provides support for the partnership of NGOs, as we move towards the accessibility of the Ervebo vaccine and the expansion of prevention centers. Mexico looks forward to working to make Ebola a disease of the past by collaborating with distinguished and reputable countries to help provide prevention and treatment plans for at-risk and suffering individuals.
- Lily Somers
