Topic: Managing Secondary Effects of Disease Outbreaks
Country: Rwanda
Delegate Name: Genevieve Sypien
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Rwanda position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
From the time humans first began to settle to live together in groups the risks of infectious diseases have been ever present, from the plagues, to the Spanish Flu to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “A disease outbreak is the occurrence of cases of disease in excess of what would normally be expected in a defined community, geographical area or season” (Health). However, in a disease outbreak the disease itself isn’t the only danger facing areas of the outbreak, secondary effects include economic instability and disruptions of culture. The United Nations created the International Health Regulations in 2005, which detail procedures to be followed when outbreaks occur, and it was agreed upon by all WHO member states but there must be more policy added applying to the secondary effects of disease. This topic is important to the Rwandan government as we believe that “a healthy population is vital if the country is to achieve sustainable economic growth” (the National Health). Rwanda believes that the UN should increase policy and funding for the prevention of disease and the management of economic after effects.
The risk of disease outbreaks and the secondary effects afterward are always present in Rwanda due to diseases like Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Influenza that are prevalent in our area. However, in the most recent years Rwanda has not had any major outbreaks and has enjoyed socio-economic growth, the percentage of people living under poverty line dropped by 14%, from 59% in 2001 to 45% in 2010. Beyond the work within WHO, and being a member if the IHR, Rwanda also works with the CDC. Rwanda has made progress on this issue but will continue to combat not only the diseases but the secondary effects of past outbreaks.
Rwanda due to its own experience believe that if a way can be found to prevent major disease outbreaks there will be less risks for secondary effects to negatively impact an area. However, as it is not yet possible to completely eliminate all disease, Rwanda believe that policy should be put in place to support areas affected by disease economically. Rwanda would like to see the international community taking an even more active role in finding solutions for the prevention of disease outbreaks and the management of the secondary effects.. The People of Rwanda would urge people around the world to lend aid in ending this world wide issue.
Works Cited
"Global Health: Rwanda." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 04 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2016.
"Health Topics: Disease Outbreaks." WHO – Disease Outbreaks. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.
"IHR (2005): A Multi-hazard Dimension." World Health Organization. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.
"The National Health Research Agenda 2014-2018." Government of Rwanda: Ministry of Health (2014): 1-2. Print.
"WHO EMRO and Disease Outbreaks." WHO EMRO | Disease Outbreaks | Health Topics. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 13 Nov. 2016.
