Read on Twitter
[THREAD]
1/11
For all its romanticism, 19th century wasn't a very life-affirming time to be in. With as many as seven global outbreaks and a body count in hundreds of millions, cholera was on a mission. Something had to be done. Something was. A lot was, actually.
![[THREAD]1/11For all its romanticism, 19th century wasn't a very life-affirming time to be in. With as many as seven global outbreaks and a body count in hundreds of millions, cholera was on a mission. Something had to be done. Something was. A lot was, actually.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EU-tjHnU4AA8ccu.jpg "[THREAD]1/11For all its romanticism, 19th century wasn't a very life-affirming time to be in. With as many as seven global outbreaks and a body count in hundreds of millions, cholera was on a mission. Something had to be done. Something was. A lot was, actually.")
1/11
For all its romanticism, 19th century wasn't a very life-affirming time to be in. With as many as seven global outbreaks and a body count in hundreds of millions, cholera was on a mission. Something had to be done. Something was. A lot was, actually.
2/11
These outbreaks inspired a series of medical breakthroughs including the world's first immunization program thanks to Pasteur. A lot was also inspired politically. International Sanitary Conferences, a series of 14, was one of them.
These outbreaks inspired a series of medical breakthroughs including the world's first immunization program thanks to Pasteur. A lot was also inspired politically. International Sanitary Conferences, a series of 14, was one of them.
3/11
These conferences were a bunch of governments coming together to brainstorm pandemic prevention ideas. Several governing bodies were born as a result of these sessions. These include the Pan-American Sanitary Bureau, the Office International d'Hygiène Publique, and others.
These conferences were a bunch of governments coming together to brainstorm pandemic prevention ideas. Several governing bodies were born as a result of these sessions. These include the Pan-American Sanitary Bureau, the Office International d'Hygiène Publique, and others.
4/11
These conferences stopped in 1938 when the world went to war for a 2nd time. America's entry into this war was triggered by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When that happened, there lived in San Francisco a Chinese doctor named Szeming Sze.
These conferences stopped in 1938 when the world went to war for a 2nd time. America's entry into this war was triggered by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When that happened, there lived in San Francisco a Chinese doctor named Szeming Sze.
5/11
Toward the end of WW2 in 1945, about 50 allied governments convened in what came to be known as the San Francisco Conference. This was the birthplace of the @UN. Dr. Sze attended this conference as an official of Chinese delegation and medical expert.
Toward the end of WW2 in 1945, about 50 allied governments convened in what came to be known as the San Francisco Conference. This was the birthplace of the @UN. Dr. Sze attended this conference as an official of Chinese delegation and medical expert.
6/11
In the lead-up to the conference, the US and UK delegates had agreed to, for some reason, keep health out of the conference's agenda. Unaware of this, though, Dr. Sze had already consulted his Brazilian and Norwegian counterparts on tabling a resolution on the subject.
In the lead-up to the conference, the US and UK delegates had agreed to, for some reason, keep health out of the conference's agenda. Unaware of this, though, Dr. Sze had already consulted his Brazilian and Norwegian counterparts on tabling a resolution on the subject.
7/11
The resolution, essentially calling for an international health organization, was presented to the first president of ECOSOC Sir Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar who later went on to become the Chief Minister of independent India's Mysore state.
The resolution, essentially calling for an international health organization, was presented to the first president of ECOSOC Sir Arcot Ramasamy Mudaliar who later went on to become the Chief Minister of independent India's Mysore state.
8/11
Upon Sir Arcot's approval, the draft resolution was presented at the San Francisco Conference. But was unfortunately shot down. Dr. Sze, however, returned with the same idea, as a Declaration this time, and this passed with a resounding vote. This was landmark.
Upon Sir Arcot's approval, the draft resolution was presented at the San Francisco Conference. But was unfortunately shot down. Dr. Sze, however, returned with the same idea, as a Declaration this time, and this passed with a resounding vote. This was landmark.
9/11
Over the next three years, Dr. Sze drafted the constitution for this new international body and had buy-ins from other member states of the United Nations. Exactly 72 years ago on this very day, the constitution formally came into force. The @WHO was born.
Over the next three years, Dr. Sze drafted the constitution for this new international body and had buy-ins from other member states of the United Nations. Exactly 72 years ago on this very day, the constitution formally came into force. The @WHO was born.
10/11
Today when we refer to a pathogen as "China virus," let's understand that in doing so we insult the legacy of a man who singlehandedly worked against heavyweights like America and Britain to establish the world's largest health organization.
Today when we refer to a pathogen as "China virus," let's understand that in doing so we insult the legacy of a man who singlehandedly worked against heavyweights like America and Britain to establish the world's largest health organization.
11/11
Let's also remember he did all of this while in the America of the 1940s, not the best time-place combination for a person of his race.
Thank you, Dr. Sze.
Happy birthday, @WHO.
Let's also remember he did all of this while in the America of the 1940s, not the best time-place combination for a person of his race.
Thank you, Dr. Sze.
Happy birthday, @WHO.
