To draw attention to the work being done in the SEA Region with respect to emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and high threat pathogens, including those with pandemic potential, the IHM unit of WHO SEA Regional Office is working closely with Member Countries to highlight their work, showcase their successful initiatives and point towards the challenges they are facing in programme implementation.
The technical work done on high threat pathogens by the South-East Asia Region is being widely disseminated for different target audiences through the IHM website, a series of e-newsletters and other communication formats. There is greater representation of country stories with regular updates from the Regional Office summarizing the latest evidence, studies undertaken, meetings held, proposals finalized, trainings completed, partnerships forged, and other synergies established with donors, governments, and key stakeholders.
Further, an IHM monthly update along with a Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) monthly update is being initiated to capture all activities held and upcoming events planned from each of the Member Countries.
A compendium of success stories with respect to efforts made during the COVID-19 pandemic is being brought out to further the goals of influenza pandemic preparedness and the manner in which countries have leveraged the platforms created during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as existing influenza platforms.
The coming months will see a special online entity capturing the work being done in the field of Biomedical Clinical Engineering which has received a boost during the pandemic when shortage of oxygen and respiratory care ecology projects hampered health care service delivery in relation to managing COVID-19 patients.
Specialized consultants have been brought on board to steer different functions with the hope that the work being done by the IHM unit will get a sharper edge and also present its work to a larger global audience. International expert interviews are being planned and will soon be added to the website on themes that are topical, relevant and of interest to Member Countries.