Did you know that a public health emergency fund for health threats, such as the Ebola virus and the recent global epidemic Zika Virus, exists? Unfortunately, the said fund is reportedly empty, making several public health experts and advocates feel frustrated.
The citizens of the United States may already have an idea that there's a standing fund at the Federal Emergency Management Agency for calamities and disasters. It can reportedly be replenished if the funds are spent to address natural disasters.
No Zika Virus Funding?
Several experts, however, are disappointed that the said fund is limited for disastrous responses. But how about in times when health threats strike? According to NPR, officials need to beg Congress for money and they also have to patiently wait for approval.
In contrary to the belief that a fund for health threats is nonexistent, there has been such a fund known as the public health emergency fund, which was established in 1983 by Congress with an initial funding appropriation of $30 million. However, no money is in it today.
Congress Not Supporting Obama's $1.9 Billion Request For Zika Virus Response?
Based on an Annenberg Public Policy Center survey, 63 percent of the public reportedly backed U.S. President Barack Obama's $1.9 billion request in February for a fund to deal with health threats without begging the Congress. Sadly, the House didn't allocate any money to combat the virus.
Due to the lack of support from Congress, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Thomas Frieden criticized the House. According to Frieden, the Congress is allowing people to drown when they have "the ability to stop" it, The New Yorker reports.
"You're standing by and you see someone drowning, and you have the ability to stop them from drowning, but you can't," Frieden told Congress.
Senate Approves Zika Response Bill
Even though Congress only agreed to allocate $622 million for the Zika virus response, the Senate has approved a spending bill that will give the administration $1.1 billion for the efforts to combat the burgeoning Zika cases. The fund will reportedly be used to control the virus-carrying mosquitoes as well as for research purposes.
It will also fund the efforts to find a vaccine and to develop more accurate Zika infection. The $1.1 billion fund also aims to find effective approaches to deal with the birth defects associated with the virus.
CDC Calls For Permanent Fund
Due to the "urgent and usual" emergence of Zika virus, Frieden is urging the government to allot a permanent fund to combat the virus. He also called for an immediate action from the legislators so funds will be available after three months.
"In a public health emergency, speed is critical," Frieden said in his speech at the National Press Club. "A day, a week, a month can make all of the difference."
WHO Expanding List Of Birth Defects Linked To Zika Virus
As Zike virus becomes a global health threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reportedly expanded the list of birth defects associated with the virus. WHO warned that Zika does not also cause microcephaly but there are also indications that the virus can possibly cause cardiac issues, disproportionate faces, seizures, eye problems and feeding difficulties, Quartz reveals.
What do you think about the government's response to stop the Zika Virus? Sound off below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
