The Kenya Catholic Doctors Association (KCDA) would like to bring to the attention of all Kenyans the danger posed to our country by the United States’ proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) of World Health Organization (WHO) that will be discussed during the ongoing 75th World Health Assembly that stated on 22^nd and is due to end on 28^th May.  

Unlike the existing IHR, adopted in 2005, that respected the sovereignty of all member nations, the proposed amendments, expand WHO’s authority to implement global health mandates on member states in direct violation of national sovereignty and citizens’ rights. The amendments would also give the WHO unilateral power in assessing and determining a health emergency thus empowering the WHO to dictate policy and response of member nations.  

This poses two existential risks for the member nations, first, there lacks a mechanism for checks and balances for such unfettered power. Second, and most importantly, in health matters which are largely contextual to a given member nation and its people, a member nation is denied any opportunity to address such health matters. A member nation which is given powers by its citizens to make any determination on health matters would essentially surrender the power to WHO! This in turn negates the principals of sovereignty which is fundamental and foundational for the existence of a member nation.  

The yet to come pandemic treaty proposed by global leaders among them our President, His Excellency Uhuru Muigai Kenytta, in March 2012 “would be rooted in the constitution of the World Health Organization, drawing in other relevant organizations key to this endeavour, in support of the principle of health for all. Existing global health instruments, especially the International Health Regulations, would underpin such a treaty, ensuring a firm and tested foundation on which we can build and improve.” Amending the IHR to give WHO such immense powers before the pandemic treaty is negotiated is suspect.  

All of this comes on the heels of the COVID-19 crisis during which the WHO grossly mismanaged all facets of the global health response by encouraging economy-destroying lockdowns, suppressing early preventive treatments and recommending interventions that have proven to be neither safe nor effective.  

Under Article 59 of the IHR, de facto approval is assumed for any member states that fail to explicitly reject or take reservation to the amendments. It is our opinion that the proposed changes are offensive to the COK 2010 and against the interest of the people of Kenya. We oppose the amendments and call on the government to explicitly reject the amendments.  

We kindly request our fellow Kenyans and all people of good will to join us in demanding that the Attorney General of Kenya guides the Kenyan Government representative to the 75^th World Health Assembly of WHO to explicitly reject the proposed armaments to the IHR. Further, we encourage other delegates, especially those from other African countries, to also reject the proposed amendments.  

More information:-

https://rumble.com/v15rsa6-the-who-amendments-of-the-health-regulations....

https://www.who.int/news/item/30-03-2021-global-leaders-unite-in-urgent-...