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Progress report on the implementation of the

International Health Regulations (2005)

Agenda item 3(e) 63rd Session of the WHO Regional

Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean36 October 2016, Cairo

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Outline

• Progress of implementation of International Health Regulations (2005) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EM/RC62/R.3)

• WHO Draft Global Implementation Plan for the recommendation of the Review Committee on the role of IHR in the Ebola Outbreak and Response

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Progress of implementation of International Health Regulations (2005) in

the Eastern Mediterranean Region

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Ebola preparedness assessmentFindings show inconsistent results with IHR self-assessments*

Early Warning Function

*Findings from the Ebola Preparedness Assessment conducted in response to EM/RC61/R.2 (2014)

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Resolution EM/RC62/R.3 Established an independent regional assessment

commission (IHR-RAC) to: assess the implementation of IHR (2005) in the Region advise the Member States on issues relating to implementation

Urged the Member States to: conduct objective assessment of implementation of IHR (2005)

in order to identify gaps in IHR core capacities report annually to the regional assessment commission

Requested the Regional Director to: establish a regional task force to harmonize the tools for

assessment of IHR core capacities

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Harmonization of the tools for assessment

Existing tools for assessment of IHR capacities were harmonized and unified

– The Regional Office led the global efforts to review and harmonize the tools through a consultative meeting held in January 2016 (combine self-evaluation, peer review and voluntary external evaluations involving a combination of domestic and independent experts)

– The joint external evaluation tool comprises tools to assess 19 technical areas covering three major headings: prevent, detect and respond

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Objective assessment of IHR core capacities

Assessment of IHR capacities in the Region

– Joint external evaluations conducted in six countries from April to September 2016

– Joint external evaluations are planned to be conducted in nine more countries between October 2016 and April 2017

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Major gaps in IHR core capacities identified during the Joint External Evaluations

• Insufficient policy, financing and regulatory framework to support the functions of IHR National Focal Points

• Limited multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary coordination and communication mechanisms to support IHR functions

• Absence of inclusive and comprehensive disease surveillance and tiered public health laboratory system for early warning, threat detection and risk assessment

• Lack of a multi-hazard national emergency preparedness and response plan covering all IHR related hazards

• Poor cross-sectoral mechanisms/approach to deal with the emerging threats of anti-microbial resistance

• Absence of needed regulations, standards and coordination mechanisms for chemical, food and radio-nuclear emergencies

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Post-assessment of IHR core capacities• Advocate for joint external evaluations

• Map gaps in IHR core capacities that are common to the Region in order to prioritize actions

• Support development of national plans of action to address gaps identified during the assessment

• Provide guidance on implementation of the national plans of action by:

– mapping external support– advocating for allocation of domestic support

• Monitor the attainment of core capacities, preparedness and readiness measures

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IHR-Regional Assessment Commission (IHR-RAC)

The IHR-RAC was established in 2015

– Comprised of 15 members– Terms of reference and modality of work finalized– Two meetings were held, in December 2015 and

September 2016– Provided its recommendations to the Member

States on issues related to implementation of IHR

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Recommendations of IHR-RAC• Enhance the function of IHR national focal points

• Strengthen the IHR multisectoral committees

• Establish an inventory of existing laboratory services for a network of laboratories

• Forge greater collaboration and coordination response to chemical and radiation emergencies

• Promote a “One Health” approach for detection, prevention and response to emerging diseases

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WHO Draft Global Implementation Plan for the recommendation of the Review Committee on the role of IHR in the Ebola Outbreak and Response

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WHO Draft Global Implementation Plan

• In 2015, 68th World Health Assembly: the Review Committee on the role of IHR (2005) in Ebola Outbreak and Response was established

• In 2016, the 69th World Health Assembly (decision WHA 69 (14)) requested the Director General to:– develop for the consideration of the Regional Committees a

draft global implementation plan for the recommendations of the Review Committee; and

– submit the final plan for consideration to the Executive Board at its 140th session in January 2017.

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Main findings of the IHR Review Committee

The world remains ill-prepared to respond to a global, sustained and threatening public health

emergency

• The IHR remain an important international framework that provide the backbone to any future response to a public health threat

• It is imperative to prioritize the implementation of IHR in all countries and to develop and roll out an overarching global strategic improvement plan

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Six areas of action proposed in the Draft Plan

• Accelerating country implementation of the IHR (2005)• Strengthening WHO’s capacity to implement the IHR

(2005) • Improving the monitoring and evaluation of, and

reporting on, core capacities under the IHR (2005)• Improving event management, including risk assessment

and risk communication • Enhancing compliance with the temporary

recommendations under the IHR (2005)• Rapid sharing of scientific information

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Action by the 63rd session of Regional Committee

• Note the progress report on the implementation of IHR (2005)

• Consider the recommendations of the IHR-RAC

• Provide comments on the Draft Global Implementation Plan for the recommendations of the Review Committee on the role of IHR in the Ebola Outbreak and Response (Included in Annex 1 of the document EM/RC63/INF.DOC.4)

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Thank you