Geneva — Over the previous two days, WHO convened greater than 15 nations and over 20 regional well being businesses, well being emergency networks and different companions to check, for the primary time, a brand new international coordination mechanism for well being emergencies.
The 2-day simulation, Train Polaris, examined WHO’s International Well being Emergency Corps (GHEC), a framework designed to strengthen nations’ emergency workforce, coordinate the deployment of surge groups and specialists, and improve collaboration between nations.
The train simulated an outbreak of a fictional virus spreading internationally.
Collaborating nations included Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Iraq, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia Uganda and Ukraine, with further nations as observers. Every nation participated by means of its nationwide well being emergency coordination construction and labored beneath real-life situations to share info, align insurance policies and activate their response.
Regional and international well being businesses and organizations, together with Africa CDC, European CDC, IFRC, IOM, UNICEF and established emergency networks such because the International Outbreak Alert and Response Community, the Emergency Medical Groups initiative, Stand-by companions and the Worldwide Affiliation of Nationwide Public Well being Institutes, labored collectively to help country-led responses. Greater than 350 well being emergency specialists linked globally by means of this train.
“This train proves that when nations lead and companions join, the world is healthier ready,” mentioned Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-Common. “No nation can face the subsequent pandemic alone. Train Polaris exhibits that international cooperation just isn’t solely attainable – it’s important.”
All through the simulation, nations led their very own response efforts whereas participating with WHO for coordination, technical steering and emergency help. The train offered a uncommon alternative for governments to check preparedness in a practical atmosphere, one the place belief and mutual accountability have been as vital as pace and capability.
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“The train sought to place into apply the procedures for inter-agency response to worldwide well being threats. Environment friendly coordination and interoperability processes are key to guaranteeing well timed interventions in well being emergencies,” mentioned Dr Mariela Marín, Vice Minister of Well being of Costa Rica, thanking the Pan American Well being Group for his or her help and the members of the Nationwide Danger Administration System for his or her engagement.
“Polaris demonstrated the vital significance of cultivating belief earlier than a disaster happens,” mentioned Dr Soha Albayat from Qatar. “The muse of our collaborative efforts is considerably stronger than in years previous. We have moved past reactive measures, and are actually proactively anticipating, aligning, and coordinating our cross-border emergency response plans.”
“The International Well being Emergency Corps has developed into a robust platform, constructing on apply, belief and connection,” mentioned Dr Mike Ryan, Government Director of WHO’s Well being Emergencies Programme. “Train Polaris confirmed what is feasible when nations function with urgency and unity supported by well-connected companions. It’s a robust sign that we’re collectively extra prepared than we have been.”
At a time when multilateralism is beneath stress and preparedness is usually framed by means of a nationwide lens, Train Polaris reaffirmed that well being is a world concern.
