Outbreak control and International Health Regulations (IHR) > Main issues and challenges Thierry PAUX Division for public health emergency preparedness and response Ministry of Health - France 26 october 2015
0. Division for emergency preparedness and response Missions Collect, analyze and respond to all events in the national territory that may have a national or an international concern Elaborate national preparedness plans in the field of public health Prepare health system to enable rapid detection and effective response to all events Organize the national response to major threats Organization Division for emergency preparedness and response Office Organisation and Emergency Preparedness National Operational Center (CORRUSS) National Health crisis center EPRUS : National Agency for public health emergencies IHR Secretariat IHR NFP
1. International Health Regulations (IHR) A global system for alert and response Wide scope : any event that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) - All hazards approach Legally binding tool for 196 States Parties A global coordination by WHO (HQ and regional/country offices) Coordination of a network of national focal points (NFP) that are responsible for IHR implementation in each State Party In France : the Division for emergency preparedness and response is the IHR NFP through its emergency operating center (CORRUSS) This system relies on country capacity building Detection (surveillance systems, laboratories ) Health system (Infection prevention and control, training of health workers, PPE ) Points of entry (ports, airports and ground crossings) Preparedness (pandemic preparedness plan, CBRN preparedness plan ) Response (rapid response team, medical countermeasures ) A self assessment process to measure IHR implementation and the capacity of a State Party to manage public health events Annual report to WHA
2. Lessons learnt from Ebola outbreak in West Africa Real difficulties for IHR implementation by a large number of State Parties Only 64/196 State Parties declared they met the minimum core capacities standards Difficulties for IHR NFP to enter into a multi sectoral approach Difficulties to fill the gaps (development of actions plans, funding ) A gap between some States Parties self-assessment and their effective capacities In particular in terms of detection and health systems A leadership by WHO to strengthen Coordination between HQ and regional offices Development of a global containment strategy
3. Main issues Consolidate IHR as the unique tool for global health security Consider IHR core capacities as an integral part of resilient health systems Advocate for other sectors to participate in IHR implementation (ex. transports, tourism ) Develop transparency and cooperation between States Parties for capacity building Facilitate access to donors
4. International works in progress A IHR review committee to improve functioning, transparency, effectiveness and efficiency of IHR Chaired by Pr. Didier HOUSSIN Regional and technical consultations to define the future IHR monitoring and evaluation process of State Parties Joint external evaluation (JEE) of States Parties on a voluntary basis After event review Simulation exercises Points of entry certification Process inspired from PVS system for assessing capacities in the animal health sector Process that will integrate US-GHSA A WHO reform Develop a unified platform for outbreak and emergencies Develop a global health emergency workforce to be effectively deployed in support of countries Emergency international fund A roadmap for action to be discussed at WHA 2016 A high level conference in Lyon March 2016