Agreement to link police and public health response to chemical, radioactive and biological incidents and mass gatherings
By Bunmi Yekini
INTERPOL and the World Health Organization have signed a cooperation agreement to combine police and public health work against threats that put lives at risk, the two bodies said.
The agreement sets up a framework for joint action to prevent, detect and respond to such threats, including falsified medicines, human organ trafficking and unsafe food and drink.
“Crime and health are increasingly interconnected,” INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said. “From falsified medical products to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, criminal networks are putting lives at risk.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Health security is global security. By deepening our collaboration with INTERPOL, we are reinforcing our collective ability to prevent harm, respond to emergencies, and protect people from threats that undermine both health systems and public trust.”
Emergencies and mass gatherings
The pact covers exceptional situations that need coordinated health and security action. These include incidents involving suspected misuse of chemical or radioactive materials, and unusual biological events, whether natural, accidental or deliberate.
The two organisations will also coordinate around major international events and mass gatherings, to help countries prepare for and respond to possible health threats in high-profile settings.
Organ trafficking and illicit goods
A second area of cooperation is trafficking in people for organ removal, and the illegal trade in human organs, tissues and cells.
The agreement also addresses illicit production and trade in goods that directly affect public health. These include:
- falsified medicines, vaccines and medical devices
- counterfeit personal protective equipment
- unsafe or fraudulently labelled food and drink
- illegally produced alcohol
The organisations will also support implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
They said they would help countries identify such threats, protect consumers and strengthen international frameworks.
INTERPOL, based in Lyon, says it is the world’s largest international police organisation, with 196 member countries. WHO is the United Nations’ health agency.