146th WHO EB Agenda Item 15.2 - Public Health Preparedness and Response: WHOs work in health emergencies – Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary
(Geneva, 3-8 February 2020) 146th WHO EB Agenda Item 15.2 - Public Health Preparedness and Response: WHOs work in health emergen..

146th WHO EB Agenda Item 15.2 - Public Health Preparedness and Response: WHOs work in health emergencies – Delivered by Dr. Sadre Alam, First Secretary

Thank you Mr. Chair

 India has taken note of the report and compliments WHO for its guidance and work to respond to six grade 3 emergencies, some of which are protracted due to humanitarian crisis, coupled with conflicts and population displacement as well as the recent PHEIC of novel Coronavirus. On the latter, we were one of the first countries to raise alert and with the highest level of political commitment, continue to take all necessary and timely steps as an affected country through strengthening of points of entries, isolation and treatment facilities, community surveillance and evacuation of our nationals inter alia.

We understand the challenges in facing such emergencies especially in the backdrop of limited capacities of national health systems. Concerted efforts by WHO are required to adequately address these challenges including by helping build and strengthen national preparedness and capacities.

We also commend WHO’ s efforts to help contain the grade 3 emergency of Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) disease through multiple intervention as well as the preparedness of the neighbouring at-risk countries to prevent Ebola outbreaks.

We are satisfied with the progress made so far by WHO in monitoring and evaluation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities, with 191 of the 196 State parties reporting despite limited national health systems capacities which need further strengthening with WHO’s support.

Initiatives to harness innovative technologies including digital technology for early detection and managing health risks, early detection of hazards, mapping of emergencies using geo-spatial analytics as well as the power of Artificial Intelligence and big data such as EpiBrain are welcome steps. These tools should be rolled out for their wider application through focus on transfer of technology.

Thank you