Public Services International had been working with our affiliated unions, which represent tens of millions of health professionals, to create this set of key demands for the WHO Pandemic Treaty and wider Covid-19 recovery.

Incorporating these demands into a binding and meaningful global Treaty will ensure that the lessons of this pandemic are not forgotten and that health workers and the wider public are better protected for whatever comes next.

The Five Demands

• 1. Universal Public Healthcare

Governments must provide quality healthcare to all as a public service, regardless of ability to pay. This is vital for pandemic preparedness and keeping us all safe.

• 2. Better staffing, better conditions

Rapid training and employment of more health staff is key to building safer workplaces. Better salaries and employment conditions are key to scaling up employment in the sector and reducing the loss of trained professionals from developing countries to the global north.

• 3. Stronger health stockpiles and supply chains

Governments must build better stockpiles of essential health equipment and supplies, including by promoting local production and reforming global supply chains.

• 4. Suspending patents on lifesaving supplies and medications

All governments must be assured the right to suspend intellectual property rights on lifesaving supplies in times of health crisis, so that patents do not hold back production.

• 5. Reshaping the global economy to serve health outcomes

Governments must bolster public health budgets by working together to end corporate tax avoidance. International Financial Institutions must forgive odious debt and end conditionalities on development loans which restrict investment in quality public services.