|
International Health
Regulations enter
into force
WHO adopts new
regulations to
prevent spread of
infectious diseases
Dhaka, 15 June 2007:
Today, the
International Health
Regulations (IHR
2005) come into
force, within the
two years target set
by the 58th
World Health
Assembly that met in
Geneva in May 2005.
These regulations
are relevant to keep
pace with the
changing health
scenario of global
health security.
They are a
contemporary,
updated version of
the International
Health Regulations
(IHR1969) which will
afford maximum
security against the
international spread
of diseases and
public health events
while ensuring
minimum interference
with international
travel and trade.
Under IHR (2005) all
Member States are
expected to report
to WHO within 24
hours of assessment
any novel disease or
event of public
health emergency of
international
concerns (PHEIC).
“The new IHR heralds
an era of sharing
information in real
time among Member
States. Thus, the
global community
will be alerted in a
timely manner to
mount a coordinated
and effective
response” said Dr
Samlee
Plianbangchang,
Regional Director,
WHO South-East Asia
Region (SEAR).
To comply with the
timely notification
provision, the
Government of
Bangladesh (GoB) has
already nominated
Director, Disease
Control, Directorate
general of Health
Services as a
national IHR focal
point who can liaise
on all matters
pertaining to IHR
with the respective
sectors of the
national government
and respond to the
WHO’s process of
notification and
verification. Under
IHR 2005, Member
States must respond
to WHO’s request for
verification of
information,
irrespective of
source or origins.
With technical
supportfrom WHO the
GoB has already
assessed core
capacities for
implementing IHR
2005 at some of the
Upazila, District,
Seaport and Airport
in April 2007. There
was an advocacy
meeting on IHR 2005
for the multi-sectoral
policy makers
organized by the
DGHS in
collaboration with
WHO, and planned for
organizing
sensitizing meeting
on IHR for the
multi-sectoral
managers at all six
divisions to
implement IHR 2005.
“The revised and
broadened IHR 2005,
which will come into
force today will
provide an important
instrument to
protect countries
from global health
destabilization, the
scope has now
expanded from just
reporting on
selected diseases to
all events
representing a
public health
emergency of
international
concern within 24
hours”, said Dr
Duangvadee
Sungkhobol, WHO
Representative to
Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is in the
process of
strengthening its
capacity for
improving disease
surveillance system,
rumour verification,
early warning and
rapid response with
investigation and
intervention of
disease outbreaks
with laboratory
backup support as a
part of preparedness
and response to
Avian and Human
pandemic influenza.
The relevant parts
of the health system
must be further
strengthened so the
country can detect,
diagnose, notify and
take appropriate
control and
prevention measures
for any event of
Public Health
Emergency of
International
Concerns. In
addition, the
country is expected
to initiate the
improvement of
capacity of
airports, sea ports
and ground crossings
where diseases can
enter or leave the
country.
The new IHR, which
provides an
opportunity for
strengthening the
national health
system and human
resources, also
carries obligations
to be fulfilled by
Member States.
Overall, it will
ensure global health
security by a
collective response
to local problems.
Related links:
International health
regulations
|