WHO is supporting Member States across the Western Pacific to prepare for outbreaks and emergencies
The Western Pacific Region is a hotspot for emerging diseases and public health emergencies.
“Many of the significant health security events of the last decade occurred in the Western Pacific – just think of avian influenza and the spread of Middle East respiratory syndrome to the Region,” said Dr Ailan Li, Regional Emergency Director for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme. “That is why it is critically important that the countries of the Western Pacific invest and prepare – so that when an outbreak occurs, they are better able to protect their citizens and the people of neighbouring nations. WHO is committed to helping countries do that.”
Last week, with support from WHO, Australia became the sixth country in the Western Pacific Region to conduct a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of their systems and capacities for public health security. The country joined Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam in being one of the first in the Region to conduct a JEE.
It is a legal requirement for countries to self-report their level of preparedness and response capacities each year under the International Health Regulations (2005), also known as IHR (2005). However, JEEs are voluntary. The evaluations bring together independent experts from across the Region, across the globe and across disciplines, including specialists in disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory capacity, risk communication, public health emergency preparedness, and the interface between animal and human diseases.
“The Western Pacific Region has made good progress in preparing for and responding to health emergencies over the past 10 years,” continued Dr Li. “However, the health security threat continues. We have to prepare. Even developed countries have something to learn from the leading minds in outbreak and emergency preparedness. We congratulate Australia and the other countries which have led the way in undertaking JEEs.”
The recommendations made during the JEE process provide renewed momentum for the strengthening of health security systems, including the further revision and implementation of national action plans designed to boost the capacities required under IHR (2005). The ultimate aim is that countries are better able to prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies.
“Interest in JEEs is growing and more and more countries are approaching us with requests for support in completing one in 2018,” said Dr Li. “But you don’t have to conduct a JEE to begin making improvements. I encourage every country in the Western Pacific to continue updating and implementing their national action plans. The Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies, known as APSED III, provides countries with the framework for action to advance IHR implementation. APSED III will help countries prevent illness, keep the Region safe and save lives.”