By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Switzerland, May 18, 2026 - Despite significant investment in health systems over the past decade, the world remains vulnerable to severe pandemic outbreaks in the near future, a new report by the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB) has revealed.
The report, titled A World on the Edge: Priorities for a Pandemic-Resilient Future, said that although tough lessons from previous outbreaks in recent years have been learned, geopolitical fragmentation, ecological disruption, and increased global travel are undermining global preparedness efforts to prevent infectious disease threats.
Outbreaks such as Ebola in West Africa and Covid-19 and mpox have exposed recurrent weakness in preparedness, including the slow access to vaccines, unequal distribution of diagnostics and treatments, and fragile health systems that struggle to recover once crises pass.
“The world does not lack solutions. But without trust and equity, those solutions will not reach the people who need them most. Political leaders, industry, and civil society can still change the trajectory of global preparedness – if they turn their commitments into measurable progress before the next crisis strikes,” said GPMB Co-Chair, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.
Apart from the health impacts, the report has noted that delayed responses are also contributing to erosion of public trust, weakened democratic norms, and increased polarization.
GPMG has also warned that the continued politicization of healthcare emergencies and attacks on scientific institutions have left lasting damage that could erode the resilience of healthcare systems during future emergencies.
(GPMG is an independent monitoring and accountability body established in 2018 by WHO and the World Bank to strengthen preparedness for global health crises.
The findings of the report are being issued in Geneva alongside the 79th World Health Assembly.
The report has, however, acknowledged that emerging responses, including the Pandemic Fund, the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the Africa CDC, the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), and the 100 Days Mission, have played a key role in recognising the need for a more coordinated and equitable response to health emergencies, but more needs to be done.
GPMB has now said that it is high time for governments to prioritize the establishment of a permanent global monitoring system for pandemic risk, finalize the proposed Pandemic Agreement, and secure sustainable financing for preparedness and emergency response.
The findings of the report come at a time when global health systems remain on high alert following recent outbreaks of Hantavirus and Ebola, which have reignited fears of renewed epidemic threats across different regions.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that no cases of either disease have been recorded in the country, but health authorities are intensifying surveillance, preparedness, and response measures to ensure Kenyans are well protected.
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