Committee : World Health Organization

Country : Sweden
Topic : Establishing Preparedness on Future Pandemic and
Epidemics Responses
Name : Karaniya Jocelyn Wulansari

Unprecedented Consequences of the Pandemic

The occurrence of the covid-19 pandemic has brought profound changes to our
lives. Spreading very rapidly, countries worldwide must work on a policy to suppress
and tackle the number of patients. Locking down residents and restricting mobilities to
save as many lives as possible are the ways most countries have applied. (NLM, 2020)
However, the regulations applied seem to bring unprecedented consequences in almost
all aspects of human life.
One of its long-term effects is an economic calamity. (AIER, 2020) In this case,
developing countries are even more vulnerable, realizing that they might already
struggle with finances before the pandemic and the gaps that had not gone between
them and more developed member states.
In Sweden, the strategy used was voluntary social distancing and specified
restrictions on residents’ mobility. However, the rate of death in the country arouses
critics globally, saying that tougher restrictions would have saved more lives. (BBC,
2020) Though there might be a possibility that statement was right, Sweden has proven
that the strategy implied didn’t fail as a whole. Instead, Sweden’s residents are used to
social distancing and are awoken that the covid-19 pandemic is factual.
Statistically, Sweden’s unemployment rate reached 9%, which is less than the UK
or Italy, but still higher than its Nordic neighbors. Depending on the trade, Sweden has
an open economy system which is gonna be bothered if the rest of the world’s bothered.
(BBC, 2020). Nevertheless, the country’s economy eventually recovers by showing an
expansion in its GDP by 3.3% (OECD, 2022) Moreover, with a healthcare system,
ranked well in general, the Kingdom of Sweden is gradually recovering from the
covid-19 consequences.

A Proper Healthcare System and A Stable Economy

Less accessible and less proper facilities, and lack of urgent medical tools with
high demand, are some of the issues developing member states have to face during the
rise of the pandemic. Moreover, there might be a retraction in their economy due to
lockdowns and regulations applied, and this would only worsen their situation.
Recognizing the need for a proper healthcare system and that each member state
deserves to reach a more stable economy, the Kingdom of Sweden would like to propose
its solutions including but not limited to:
 ● Share, Limit, Open, Widen (SLOW)
Stressing that healthcare plays the most vital role in facing pandemics and epidemics,
the SLOW program is built to improve and establish healthcare, focusing on developing
member states. Therefore, member states are encouraged to [1] share knowledge and
resources regarding healthcare with each other to fulfill those who are lacking, [2] limit
purchases of goods related to healthcare to make sure everyone gets enough amount,
[3] open more voluntary movements to help gauge more audience, [4] widen the range
of help available, care after more rural areas which are most likely looked down upon.

● Strengthen, Utilize, Raise, Ease (SURE)

Acknowledging that the SLOW program has not encompassed all aspects, thus it shall
not work alone and the SURE program is presented to the council as its working
partner, which includes aspects such as:
1. Strengthen Existing Actions and Regulations since they might be helpful,
especially past actions such as PANDEM-2 which has considerable principles
member states can apply after further discussion.
2. Utilize Available Resources both human and natural resources. Developing
member states should take a more careful look at the excess they have. More
attention should be given to those who excel and to the resources easily available
3. Raise Awareness that the covid-19 pandemic is real and that a pandemic like one
might happen again in the future. Member states should encourage their resident
and keeps promoting useful information to reduce mass hysteria and denial.
4. Ease Healthcare Access by managing the prices of health treatment or healthcare
tools, could be done by applying a dual-track health system.

REFERENCES
Brodeur, A., Clark, A. E., Fleche, S., & Powdthavee, N. (2021). COVID-19, lockdowns and
well-being: Evidence from Google Trends. Journal of Public Economics, 193,
104346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2020.104346
Yang, E. (2020) The lasting consequences of Lockdowns, AIER. Available at:
https://www.aier.org/article/the-lasting-consequences-of-lockdowns/ (Accessed:
October 23, 2022).
Savage, M. (2020, July 23). Did Sweden's coronavirus strategy succeed or fail? BBC News.
Retrieved October 23, 2022, from
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53498133
Sweden economic snapshot. OECD. (2022). Retrieved October 23, 2022, from
https://www.oecd.org/economy/sweden-economic-snapshot/#:~:text=The%20Swe
dish%20economy%20is%20gradually%20recovering%20from%20the,capacity%20u
tilisation%20and%20uncertainties%20hold%20back%20business%20investment.