High-Level Implementation Plan (HLIP)- II (2018-2023) for implementation of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) funds continues to strengthen the implementation of Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework in fund recipient Member States in WHO’s South East Asia Region (SEAR). The regional implementation of the PIP-PC supported activities for the 2022–2023 biennium was planned during 2021 and finalized with concurrence from respective Ministries of Health and endorsement by the PIP-PC secretariat at the WHO headquarters.
As an initiation of the new biennium work plan (2022–2023) using PIP PC funds, a kick-off meeting was held with participation of all three levels of the WHO on 21 January 2022. This included the WHO Country Offices of the PIP-PC recipient countries in SEAR , the Regional Office team that comprised of the Programme Area Manager-Infectious Hazard Management , Concerned Technical Officers at Infectious Hazard Management unit of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), Consultant responsible for monitoring and evaluation (M&E)of the PIP PC project implementation at SEAR , the consultant overseeing the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and the technical staff of the PIP PC secretariat at WHO headquarters.
The virtual meeting included discussions related to the plans for implementation of the PIP-PC funds for the year 2022, especially for the laboratory, surveillance and national influenza pandemic preparedness planning. Updates and technical requirements of the PIP PC grant, monthly and bi-annual reporting requirements by the fund recipients and key recommendations made by the Partnership Contribution Independent Technical Expert Mechanism’s (PCITEM) on the SEAR’s PIP biennium workplan for 2022–2023 were briefed during the meeting.
Further discussions included the plan for reporting impact stories to the global newsletter with the purpose of sharing best practices and demonstrating how effectively PIP-PC funds are being utilized for PIP activities as outlined in the PIP framework. Meeting reviewed country requirements and shared updates on financial and grant related needs and the plan for ensuring compliance with grant requirements in the new biennium. Additionally, the meeting included a discussion on the proposed RCCE work plan implementation and how countries could help the Regional Office for grant monitoring, compliance monitoring and implementing recommendations based on monitoring findings.
All PIP-PC recipient countries agreed on the need for effective implementation of the planned activities and agreed on to have quarterly one to one meetings with country office and ministerial participants to review quarterly progress, discuss successes, challenges and request support needed from the Regional Office and headquarters for addressing any potential gaps.