Last May, the 194 members of the World Health Assembly called for an investigation to be launched “as soon as possible”. But neither Director Ryan nor Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have offered a start date.

Newsdesk (August 30, 2020 Gaudium Press) — The delay of the investigation in Wuhan, weighs heavily on the reputation of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Last May, the World Health Assembly (WHA) voted unanimously for an inquiry into the origin of the pandemic in Wuhan. The WHO has been questioned on several fronts for its handling of the pandemic, particularly with regard to measures in relation to China’s responsibility in the crisis.

The WHO’s envoys to China only managed a few virtual meetings.

At yesterday’s  press conference, Mike Ryan, director of the WHO’s emergency program, said a two-member team had been sent to China in July. During their two week trip,  two weeks, the Team was only able to speak virtually with Chinese experts and authorities, something they could have easily done from the Organization’s headquaters in Geneva.

The petition of the 194 members of the WHO during last May’s Assembly was clear: an  investigation should begin “as soon as possible”. So far, neither Director Ryan nor Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have offered a start date.

Over the past months, several accusations have been risen against China, not only regarding the delay in warning of what was happening, but also about the very origin of the pandemic; this includes claims that the virus has been manufactured in a laboratory in Wuhan.

The WHO has also been criticized for not addressing the Chinese government’s omissions and silence.

With information from Asia News