Over one hundred stakeholders, representing eight ministries, several government institutions and development partners, met for a two-day workshop to review the status of implementation of the National Workplan for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies to Achieve International Health Regulations (IHR) Core Capacities (2016-2020).
In today’s increasingly inter-connected world health security is a global issue and the region is considered a hotspot for public health threats. Cambodia has experienced a range of public health events, from natural disasters with public health consequences, such as flooding and drought, to foodborne disease, and emerging infectious diseases, such as zoonotic influenza. Whilst not all hazards can be anticipated or prevented, countries can enhance their capacity to protect their populations from potential threats by being better prepared.
In order to do this, Cambodia – and 195 other Member States – have agreed to work together to prevent, prepare for, and respond to public health crises through the International Health Regulations, or IHR (2005). WHO plays the coordinating role in supporting countries in developing their capacity to implement these measures. Through IHR mechanisms, WHO supports the facilitation of information-sharing regarding public health risks and works with governments and partners to help countries build capacity for early detection and response to public health events at both national and international levels.
This annual review exercise on national level implementation for IHR brings together a multisectoral group of stakeholders and provides a platform for eleven technical areas to review their achievements, identify priority actions moving forward, and strengthen coordination across shared areas of work. To date Cambodia has enjoyed many successes, including significant achievements in the areas of IHR National Focal Point functions, Emergency Operations Center, laboratory and surveillance.
Reinforcing the importance of this collaboration in addressing health security threats, His Excellency Professor Eng Huot, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health, expressed the importance of “strong national political and technical commitment, multi-sectoral and inter-ministerial cooperation, and continuous support from partners, national and international organizations [in order to ensure] successful implementation of the National Workplan”.