Speaking at the session on Preparedness 2.0 at the Regional Committee in Astana earlier today, WHO Regional Emergency Director for Europe Dr Gerald Rockenschaub called on countries to actively engage in further consultations to collectively develop the priorities for a new 2023–2029 Strategy and Action plan on health emergency preparedness, response and resilience in the WHO European Region. Known as Preparedness 2.0, it will support countries to develop fit-for-purpose national health emergency preparedness and response plans through an all-hazards and One Health approach.
The Preparedness 2.0 strategy builds on a broad range of recommendations, experiences and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies across the Region. In support of the WHO Secretariat, a Preparedness 2.0 Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has been established to provide evidence-based guidance on priority areas for consideration by the WHO European Region Member States.
“At this early stage of its remit, the Preparedness 2.0 TAG proposes 3 key messages. First, Preparedness 2.0 must take an all-hazards approach to consider the range of potential threats the Region might face. Second, given the uncertainty as to what the next health emergency might be, there must be an integrated One Health approach throughout the strategy and action plan to ensure joined-up thinking between human, animal, and environmental challenges. Third, the principle of equity must run throughout Preparedness 2.0,” explained Preparedness 2.0 TAG Co-Chair Dr Gail Carson during the session.
Collaboration with Member States
The Preparedness 2.0 working document includes essential components that align with the Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience framework, including collaborative surveillance, access to countermeasures, community protection, safe and scalable care, and emergency coordination. During the session, Member States discussed how their countries could contribute to strengthening each of these elements.
“Preparedness 2.0 will promote the dual-track approach, supporting countries to maintain essential health services such as management of chronic diseases, while responding to immediate emergency needs,” clarified Dr Rockenschaub. “It will emphasize the role of primary health-care services in preparing and responding to public health emergencies, while placing a strong emphasis on building a regional health emergency workforce that is grounded in a robust and well-trained network of national emergency medical teams and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network as key pillars of Preparedness 2.0.”
By increasing countries’ sustained investment and capacities in community protection across the emergency cycle, strengthening community partnerships across stakeholder groups, and generating evidence guidance and tools to underpin decision-making, Preparedness 2.0 will ensure that when the next emergency strikes – as it surely will – the Region is better prepared.