The WHO European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies (PHHE) in Istanbul, Turkey, organized an expert panel on Vision for Preparedness 2.0 – Workforce for tomorrow's emergencies, to support the European Public Health Association and the public health community across the WHO European Region, alongside WHO/Europe’s support for European Public Health Week, 16–20 May 2022.
The panel highlighted the relentless, courageous, and selfless dedication of health workers across the globe during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting their mental health concerns and the stress they faced. This underscored the need for adequate national level planning for resilient health systems, in line with Member States’ present and future needs and health risk profiles, while harnessing big data, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and predictive analytics, as human resource assets are not always sufficient and cannot be readily replenished.
Interdependencies between resilient health systems and stronger health security, in line with International Heath Regulations (2005), and the importance of strengthening partnerships across sectors, were also emphasized to improve preparedness within and between Member States.
The expert panel included Dr Batyr Berdyklychev, WHO Representative and Head of WHO Country Office, Turkey; Dr Tamar Khomasuridze, Sexual Reproductive Health Advisor for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Mr Ceyhun Şahverdiyev, International Officer, Secretariat of the Organization of Turkic States; Dr Evika Karamagioli, Scientific Associate, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; the Jean Monnet Chair (JMC) EU humanitarian medicine and response in action (EU MEDAID), awarded to the Medical School of Athens of the National and Kapodistrian University; and Mr Haydar Ridvan Civan, Health expert, General Directorate of EU and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Turkey.
This activity was part of multifaceted, collaborative efforts led by PHHE, established in Istanbul in 2020 with funding support from Turkey.