Research has shown that during public health emergencies, the consolidation of key functions under a singular authority can enhance response efficiency by streamlining the collection and analysis of evidence and improving the efficient use of funding and human resources, thereby facilitating informed public health decisions and enabling quick, coordinated actions. At the same time, countries possess unique national governance arrangements to implement health emergency preparedness and response, which include ministries of health, national disaster management authorities, security apparatuses and other entities.
National public health agencies (NPHAs) serve as leading public health authorities in their respective countries, including on International Health Regulations implementation. In the WHO European Region, many NPHAs fulfill the function of National IHR focal points and WHO collaborating centres. During public health emergencies, NPHAs can increase a country’s capacity to mount quick, decisive and coordinated responses.
To refine and strengthen the core health emergency preparedness and response capabilities framework for NPHAs, Member States from the Region will participate in the first of 2 online consultations, to ensure the framework is relevant and useful for them. Participants include representatives of NPHAs, National IHR focal points and ministries of health from Member States of the Region. By bringing together key players and experts, the virtual consultations seek to not only recognize the importance of NPHAs but also to enable them to take on an even more pivotal role in safeguarding public health across the Region. The WHO/Europe consultation is part of a global consultation process initiated by the WHO Health Emergencies Programme in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute and International Association of National Public Health Institutes.
The second online consultation will take place on 30 April 2025.