Changes to health regulations: Austria is under pressure!

Changes to health regulations: Austria is under pressure!

Österreich, Land - Today, on June 3, 2025, Austria faces a crucial switch in health policy that could have worldwide effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) has put two essential agreements on the table: the pandemic contract and changes in international health regulations (IGV). These changes are designed to improve the protection against serious threats to public health, but were criticized by the scientific initiative Health for Austria in an open letter to the National Council.

like [ots] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250603_ots0014/dring-bitte-le--die-die-national-international- Gesundheit- AB), Austria must take a position on the changes by July 19, 2025. A contradiction must be submitted to the WHO in good time, otherwise the changes will automatically come into force. The pandemic contract is also only valid if it is ratified by the National Council, which could initiate a political debate in Austria.

content of the changes and the pandemic contract

The current suggestions for pandemic agencies contain a clear obligation to respect human dignity as well as basic and human rights. Austria supports this naming of what corresponds to the general position of the European Union, as [Social Ministry.GV.at] (https://www.socialministry.gv.at/themen/gesundheit/gesundheit-in-der-eu-und-und-und- and emphasizes. The text complements the existing IGV aspects of “equity and solidarity” and also make it clear that the abolition of human rights is not possible by the changed IGV.

The ongoing discussions follow the completed changes to the IGV, which were agreed on June 1, 2024 in Geneva. As reports bundesgesundheitministerium.de, the new text includes the introduction of a warning level for pandemic emergencies and the establishment of a coordination mechanism for better use of financial means. In addition, the member states are to be supported more to report and investigate illness.

political dimensions and citizens' interest

The timely submission of an objection requires a comprehensive political discussion in Austria. The concerns of the scientific initiative Health for Austria could mobilize and also mobilize other social actors. The legal framework of the WHO, which is based on the principles of human rights and national sovereignty, leaves no room for negative implications on the individual freedoms of the citizens.

Developments regarding the changes to the IGV and the pandemic contract require a critical examination. The Austrian government faces the challenge of fulfilling both international obligations and protecting the rights and freedoms of its citizens.