AFR/RC66/R3 23 August 2016
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR AFRICA Sixty-sixth session Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 19–23 August 2016
RESOLUTION REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR HEALTH SECURITY AND EMERGENCIES 2016–2020 (Document AFR/RC66/6)
The Regional Committee, Having examined the document entitled “Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies 2016–2020” (Document AFR/RC66/6); Recalling World Health Assembly resolutions WHA59.22 on emergency preparedness and response, WHA64.10 on strengthening national health emergency and disaster management capacities and resilience of health systems, WHA58.1 on health action in relation to crises and disasters, and resolution AFR/RC61/R3 on the Framework document for the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF); Deeply concerned that the continued occurrence of epidemics and other public health emergencies in the African Region results in a humanitarian, social and economic burden on Member States; Concerned about the potential impact of the continued occurrence of epidemics and other public health emergencies on vulnerable populations in the African Region who are already suffering from multiple diseases and conditions; Recognizing the absence of an integrated, comprehensive, all-hazard strategy to complement the implementation of the International Health Regulations and integrated disease surveillance and response to holistically address public health emergencies in the African Region; Conscious of the need to strengthen multisectoral collaboration for better prevention, preparedness and response to epidemics and other health emergencies; Noting that regional and global health security depends on timely local actions to rapidly detect, report, confirm and respond to epidemic alerts at source; Cognizant of the current global and regional initiatives that present unique opportunities for strengthening national capacities to prepare for and respond to health security and emergencies;
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Acknowledging that WHO has undertaken major reforms to make it fit for purpose to address global health security risks by creating a better coordinated single platform across all the three levels of the Organization; Noting that Member States need to invest additional resources to build resilient health systems that can deliver effective emergency response and recovery and withstand the shock and potential damage from disasters; Reaffirming its commitment to implement Resolution AFR/RC59/R5 on strengthening outbreak preparedness and response, and Resolution AFR/RC62/R1 on a health sector strategy for disaster risk management in the African Region; 1. ADOPTS the Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies 2016–2020, as proposed in Document AFR/RC66/6; 2. URGES Member States to:
(a) ensure multisectoral collaboration in the implementation of the strategy; (b) develop national plans and clear road maps with milestones to achieve and sustain the IHR core capacities, including reviewing structures and systems to support implementation of the strategy; (c) commit domestic resources to implement the priority interventions; (d) conduct research to answer priority questions related to health security, risk mitigation and risk-factor exposure; (e) establish emergency operational centres for public health; (f) commit to intercountry partnerships and collaborative capacity building for emergency management. 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director to:
(a) disseminate the relevant information, products and technical guidelines to support implementation of the strategy; (b) support Member States to develop strategic and annual plans that are regularly monitored and evaluated; (c) establish a regional partnership forum for “One health” to serve as a platform for coordinated actions, mobilizing resources and forging consensus among partners and Member States; (d) facilitate partnerships to improve preparedness, alert and response and strengthen crosscountry and cross-institutional collaboration; (e) provide technical support to the Africa CDC and to the subregional collaborating centres; (f) establish a regional health workforce to promptly respond to outbreaks and health emergencies; (g) report on progress to the Regional Committee in 2018 and 2020.
AFR/RC66/R3 23 August 2016 REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR AFRICA Sixty-sixth session Addis Ababa, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, 19–23 August 2016 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH RESOLUTION REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR HEALTH SECURITY AND EMERGENCIES 2016–2020 (Document AFR/RC66/6) The Regional Committee, Having examined the document entitled “Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies 2016–2020” (Document AFR/RC66/6); Recalling World Health Assembly resolutions WHA59.22 on emergency preparedness and response, WHA64.10 on strengthening national health emergency and disaster management capacities and resilience of health systems, WHA58.1 on health action in relation to crises and disasters, and resolution AFR/RC61/R3 on the Framework document for the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF); Deeply concerned that the continued occurrence of epidemics and other public health emergencies in the African Region results in a humanitarian, social and economic burden on Member States; Concerned about the potential impact of the continued occurrence of epidemics and other public health emergencies on vulnerable populations in the African Region who are already suffering from multiple diseases and conditions; Recognizing the absence of an integrated, comprehensive, all-hazard strategy to complement the implementation of the International Health Regulations and integrated disease surveillance and response to holistically address public health emergencies in the African Region; Conscious of the need to strengthen multisectoral collaboration for better prevention, preparedness and response to epidemics and other health emergencies; Noting that regional and global health security depends on timely local actions to rapidly detect, report, confirm and respond to epidemic alerts at source; Cognizant of the current global and regional initiatives that present unique opportunities for strengthening national capacities to prepare for and respond to health security and emergencies; AFR/RC66/R3 Page 2 Acknowledging that WHO has undertaken major reforms to make it fit for purpose to address global health security risks by creating a better coordinated single platform across all the three levels of the Organization; Noting that Member States need to invest additional resources to build resilient health systems that can deliver effective emergency response and recovery and withstand the shock and potential damage from disasters; Reaffirming its commitment to implement Resolution AFR/RC59/R5 on strengthening outbreak preparedness and response, and Resolution AFR/RC62/R1 on a health sector strategy for disaster risk management in the African Region; 1. ADOPTS the Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies 2016–2020, as proposed in Document AFR/RC66/6; 2. URGES Member States to: (a) ensure multisectoral collaboration in the implementation of the strategy; (b) develop national plans and clear road maps with milestones to achieve and sustain the IHR core capacities, including reviewing structures and systems to support implementation of the strategy; (c) commit domestic resources to implement the priority interventions; (d) conduct research to answer priority questions related to health security, risk mitigation and risk-factor exposure; (e) establish emergency operational centres for public health; (f) commit to intercountry partnerships and collaborative capacity building for emergency management. 3. REQUESTS the Regional Director to: (a) disseminate the relevant information, products and technical guidelines to support implementation of the strategy; (b) support Member States to develop strategic and annual plans that are regularly monitored and evaluated; (c) establish a regional partnership forum for “One health” to serve as a platform for coordinated actions, mobilizing resources and forging consensus among partners and Member States; (d) facilitate partnerships to improve preparedness, alert and response and strengthen cross- country and cross-institutional collaboration; (e) provide technical support to the Africa CDC and to the subregional collaborating centres; (f) establish a regional health workforce to promptly respond to outbreaks and health emergencies; (g) report on progress to the Regional Committee in 2018 and 2020.