Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova (Hlas-SD) will reinforce an inter-ministerial working group, formed after the passing of improved WHO international health regulations, with experts from several ministries and stakeholders, and task it with assessing the updated documents drafted by the WHO, TASR learnt from the ministry's press department on Tuesday.
Dolinkova said this in response to criticism from medical organisations and the opposition of the fact that Slovakia has become the only country in the world that is distancing itself from the revised WHO International Health Regulations, aimed at helping to improve cooperation among countries in case of future outbreaks and pandemics.
Dolinkova stated that she pays close attention to domestic as well as expert debate that has been sparked by Slovakia's stance. In her view, this problem must be analysed and assessed exclusively by experts.
The minister accentuated that she's aware of the negative experience Slovakia has with the fight against COVID-19 and added that it's necessary to evaluate international regulations rationally. "We must cautiously and prudently approach new challenges, so as to be able to face potential health risks in the future," she stated.
At a session of WHO member states in June, Slovakia distanced itself from the passing of the revised International Health Regulation, which is why the opposition plans to initiate an emergency session of the House Health Committee. The opposition perceives the distancing from the regulations as an international embarrassment for Slovakia as well as the endangerment of the safety and health of Slovaks. Government Proxy for the Investigation into COVID-19 Pandemic Management and former alternative TV Slav owner and host Peter Kotlar insists on this stance, however, claiming that the revised regulations pose illicit intervention into sovereignty of member states, human rights and fundamental freedoms. In addition, he finds several provisions couched in vague language, with room for subjective interpretation. Slovakia's stance has been lambasted by several medical and health organisations.
(TASR)
