Health Security

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adverse events experienced by patients in the course of healthcare are among the top ten causes of illness and death worldwide. These are known as “adverse events”. Patient safety is primarily about preventing such adverse events and their consequences. Patient safety is a central issue in global public health, fundamental to strengthening health systems and providing high quality healthcare. Switzerland is also focusing on this issue.

Global pandemic preparedness and response
International Health Regulations (IHR)
Antimicrobial resistance: a global health challenge
Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI)
Links / Documents

Global pandemic preparedness and response

Since the beginning of 2020, efforts have focused on management of the Covid-19 crisis. International cooperation was and remains crucial for the management of the Covid-19 pandemic at the global and regional level, and for the protection of public health in Switzerland. Bilateral contacts with other – particularly neighbouring – countries were intensified. In addition – thanks to the provision of ad hoc access to various platforms – there was close collaboration with the EU during the crisis.

Participation in the relevant international organisations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), was also stepped up. In view of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, WHO member states have agreed to take multilateral measures to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. It is now essential to build on and consolidate the experience acquired during the crisis. To this end, Switzerland is also playing an active role in the international follow-up processes – for example, within the WHO framework, the process of amending the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the development by an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) of a new agreement on pandemic preparedness and response. For more information, see the website of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body.

The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR)

The International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) govern international cooperation to control any events (natural, deliberate or accidental) which pose a threat to public health (infectious diseases, biological or chemical agents, ionising radiation). They also provide a regulatory framework for WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). One of the main objectives of the IHR is to combat the global spread of infectious diseases without unnecessarily restricting the free movement of persons and goods.

Global entry-into-effect and adoption in Switzerland

The IHR in their revised edition of 2005 came into force at international level on 15 June 2007. The Swiss Federal Council approved the regulations without any reservations, and designated the FOPH’s Communicable Diseases Division as Switzerland’s focal point. The revised Epidemics Act has incorporated the IHR (2005) since 2016, and governs their application in Switzerland.

Amendments to the IHR

On 1 June 2024 the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted amendments to the IHR (2005) by consensus. Switzerland actively engaged in the negotiations, effectively advocating for its interests. The amendments were negotiated by the Working Group on Amendments to the IHR (WGIHR), comprising representatives from the 196 IHR State Parties. All pertinent official documentation related to this process is accessible on the website of WHO. The outcomes of the negotiations include the strengthening of the core capacities for the prevention, preparedness and response to public health emergencies, the establishment of an additional level of alert, an improved exchange between States Parties and WHO, as well as the strengthening of international collaboration.

While the adoption of the amendments by the WHA is a crucial step, it does not automatically bind Switzerland to their implementation. The Swiss government will undertake a thorough review process in accordance with its national procedures and constitutional and legal framework to determine whether to accept or reject these amendments.Relevant experts are currently conducting a comprehensive analysis of the adopted amendments to ascertain their precise implications for both the Swiss Confederation and its cantons.

Switzerland will continue to retains full sovereignty over its own health policy and over the measures required during a PHEIC, as well as during a pandemic.

In Switzerland, fundamental rights are protected at all times by the Federal Constitution and by international law – in particular the European Convention on Human rights. Switzerland does not enter into any international treaties that would violate these fundamental rights.

Antimicrobial resistance: a global health challenge

Throughout the world, viruses and bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial treatments. Switzerland is actively involved in international efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance is defined by the WHO as the resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial medicine to which it was previously sensitive. This resistance arises from the ability of certain viruses or bacteria to withstand attack by antivirals or antibiotics. Resistance develops when a microorganism mutates or acquires a resistance gene.

Antimicrobial resistance can be observed worldwide. As this problem is becoming increasingly serious, it represents one of the greatest global health challenges. In 2019, an estimated 1.2 million people died from infections with resistant pathogens, outnumbering deaths from malaria and HIV. This trend is accelerating as a result of excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics in humans and livestock, poor-quality drugs, inadequate laboratory capacity, lack of surveillance and deficiencies in the regulation of antibiotic use.

Global action plan and ongoing international efforts

The global action plan jointly developed by the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and civil society includes five objectives:

to improve public awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance;
to strengthen the knowledge and evidence base through surveillance and research;
to reduce the incidence of infection through effective sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention measures;
to optimise the use of antimicrobial medicines in human and animal health; and
to increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions.

Switzerland supported the adoption of the global action plan at the World Health Assembly in May 2015. As a follow-up at the national level, the Swiss Strategy on Antibiotic Resistance (StAR) was adopted in November 2015. In 2023, StAR is to be updated and an action plan is also to be developed.

The global Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the impact which infectious diseases can have on human health and economic development. Efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance thus represent a key element of pandemic preparedness and response.

In November 2022, the Third High-Level Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance was held in Oman, with the Muscat Ministerial Manifesto on AMR being adopted. The aim of this event was to pave the way for the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AMR, which is to be held in New York in 2024.

Link: Global action plan on antimicrobial resistance

Switzerland’s efforts

With the aim of promoting research and development of new antibiotics at the international level, Switzerland is supporting the Geneva-based Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP).

In 2018, Switzerland also joined the Global AMR R&D Hub, a global knowledge centre for antimicrobial resistance research and development which aims to enhance international collaboration and coordination.

As a contributor to the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) – an initiative launched by the US in 2014 (2022 GHSA Ministerial Meeting in Seoul) – Switzerland has supported from the outset the AMR Action Package, which includes the sharing of best practice in hygiene and infection prevention measures. In this context, it published a comparative study of selected national AMR strategies, with the aim of defining best practices.

Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI)

Together with Oman, Switzerland supports the Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI), which benefits fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable regions. It focuses, for example, on protecting hospitals, ensuring universal access to healthcare facilities, training doctors and nurses to work in difficult conditions, and providing psychological support to young people who have experienced violence. Programs have been developed in close collaboration with ministries and other partners and are currently running in a number of countries, including Colombia, Somalia and the Central African Republic. They aim to strengthen universal health coverage and to contribute to peace outcomes.

Global Health and Peace Initiative (GHPI) (who.int)

Top of page