Latest news with #JointExternalEvaluation
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Zimbabwe undertakes second Joint External Evaluation to strengthen National Health Security
From 29 June to 4 July 2025, Zimbabwe conducted its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) to assess the country's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats under the International Health Regulations (2005). The JEE, coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) with support from WHO and partners, marks a critical milestone in strengthening Zimbabwe's public health emergency preparedness and response systems. The JEE is a voluntary, collaborative process used globally to assess a country's readiness to manage infectious disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. It is conducted every five years, with the country's first evaluation completed in 2018. 'The JEE gives us a structured opportunity to check how ready we are to detect and respond to public health threats and we thank all the partners who have made this possible,' said Dr Wenceslaus Nyamayaro, MoHCC Acting Chief Director, Public Health. The internal self-assessment, the first phase of the JEE, was completed in July 2025 with over 100 participants from across sectors including health, environment, veterinary services, defense, disaster management, civil society, and development partners including WHO, UNICEF, FAO, Africa CDC and others. This participatory process assessed 19 technical areas ranging from biosafety and surveillance to legislation and points of entry. Key areas that emerged as requiring urgent attention include outdated or poorly implemented legal instruments, coupled with limited availability of legal support at subnational levels. Gender equity in emergencies remains a concern, with notable gaps in funding for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, as well as low representation of women in emergency preparedness and decision-making processes. Funding for emergency response activities was also highlighted as inadequate. Surveillance systems for foodborne illnesses and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are still fragmented, highlighting the need for stronger cross-sector coordination. Coordination between the human, animal and environmental health sectors is still weak, showing the need to improve how these groups work together. Biosafety and biosecurity capacities also require strengthening, particularly in terms of laboratory infrastructure and staff training. Additionally, readiness at points of entry remains limited, with gaps in the ability to detect and respond to public health threats at borders and airports. Zimbabwe also assessed its progress in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global threat. While the country has developed a robust One Health AMR National Action Plan and established 14 multisectoral surveillance sites, challenges remain in laboratory capacity, integration of data systems and containment of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). The next phase of the JEE will involve an external validation mission scheduled for 6–13 September 2025. A team of international subject matter experts, coordinated by WHO's Regional Office for Africa, will work with technical teams in Zimbabwe to validate scores, review documentation and conduct site visits to key health facilities including laboratories and points of entry. Following the mission, Zimbabwe will develop or update its National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). This plan will consolidate findings from the JEE, past outbreak reviews, and risk assessments to guide future investments and reforms in public health preparedness. 'The evaluation is about continuous improvement. It reflects Zimbabwe's commitment to protect the health of its people through stronger systems, better data, and broader collaboration,' said Dr. Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative to Zimbabwe. The evaluation was made possible with funding from the Health Resilience Fund (HRF) through WHO, with additional support mobilized by MoHCC from Africa CDC and UNICEF. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
Business Recorder
24-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister reaffirms commitment to IHR framework
ISLAMABAD: State Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Monday, stressing the need for provision of clean water for a healthier future generation has reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan's commitment to the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework. While inaugurating the first national health preparedness and resilience conference on diarrhoeal diseases organised by the National Institute of Health (NIH), he cited that recently the government along with other stakeholders concluded Joint External Evaluation (JEE 2023), which called for urgent strengthening of core health capacities under the National Action Plan for Health Security (2024–2028). The two-day conference brought together senior representatives from federal and provincial health departments, leading development partners including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), World Health Organization (WHO), DAI, and JHEPIGO, alongside national and international public health experts. The event aims to tackle the persistent burden of diarrhoeal diseases and to strengthen Pakistan's health security and resilience against infectious disease threats. Dr Bharath said that the diarrhoeal diseases continue to be a leading cause of illness and death among children under five in Pakistan, adding that these are largely preventable conditions, yet their prevalence reflects the enduring gaps in access to clean drinking water, sanitation, and equitable healthcare services. He outlined key government priorities in addressing this health burden, including strengthening nationwide disease surveillance systems in coordination with provinces and development partners, Expanding Rotavirus and oral cholera vaccine coverage under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Promoting WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices at the household level and enhancing collaboration across health, education, and water sectors to tackle underlying drivers of diarrhoeal disease. As Pakistan's IHR focal point, the NIH was commended for its pivotal role in expanding laboratory networks, integrating surveillance systems, and building frontline public health capacity. The minister also emphasised the need for increased domestic health financing and urged development partners to align their support with national strategic priorities. Touching on global health concerns including COVID-19, Mpox, and the emerging Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Dr Bharath stressed the importance of real-time surveillance, effective border health controls, and proactive community engagement to pre-empt future health crises. 'This conference is more than just dialogue, it is a renewed call to action,' he concluded. 'Together, we must ensure that every child in Pakistan not only survives but thrives, with access to clean water, quality healthcare, and a healthier, more secure future.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Cook Islands' first Joint External Evaluation seeks to strengthen health security
The Cook Islands Government has put its hand up to take on it's first Joint External Evaluation (JEE), citing health security. The island is vulnerable to natural disasters, outbreaks and the impacts of climate change, and the JEE mission looked at how they respond to it's health risks. World Health Organisation's Director of Pacific technical support, Dr Mark Jacobs who led the mission, says they only work with countries who freely volunteer to participate. "The Cook Islands saw this as an important thing they want to really shows how much commitment there is by the Cook Islands into improving their capacity," said Dr Jacobs.
