This workshop for the Western Balkans and surrounding countries will focus on collectively strengthening capacities to detect and contain public health threats at points of entry (PoE), with a focus on ports and ground crossings.
PoE are at the frontline of prevention, detection and response to public health events that may arise via international travel and transport. PoE include ports, ground crossings and airports. As stipulated in the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), PoE must be equipped with routine core-capacity requirements as well as requirements for responding to a public health emergency of international concern, including a public health emergency contingency plan.
In September 2018 the WHO Regional Committee for Europe highlighted PoE as one of the critical areas of its first strategic pillar. It called on all Member States to “develop and maintain routine and emergency capacities at designated points of entry and ensure regular evaluation” to help strengthen preparedness and management of cross-border health threats.
Despite these provisions, countries have faced challenges in developing the capacities outlined in the IHR (2005). The subregional workshop aims to address this by offering guidance on enhancing cross-border collaboration among neighbouring countries to harmonize resources, strengthen coordination and communication, and enable joint operations or efforts, particularly regarding public health threats of mutual concern.
The workshop is being coordinated by WHO/Europe with financial support from the European Union.