Latest news with #PandemicFund
See - Sada Elbalad
09-07-2025
- Health
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt, WHO Launche Region's 1st Vector Control Field Epidemiology Training
Ahmed Emam Egypt has launched the Middle East and North Africa's first field epidemiology training programme (FETP) dedicated to vector control, marking a major step forward in the region's ability to tackle vector-borne diseases. The initiative is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Egypt and funded by the Pandemic Fund. The newly launched training aims to build national capacity to detect, prevent, and respond to diseases transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. With a strong emphasis on the One Health approach, the programme fosters collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. A total of 32 participants — mostly agricultural engineers from both the human and animal health sectors — are taking part in the training. The programme blends short, classroom-based instruction with extensive field placements. Over a six-month period, participants will attend three workshops, each followed by hands-on assignments in various governorates. The training dedicates 20% of the time to classroom learning and 80% to practical fieldwork. "This training is a regional first, and it reflects Egypt's commitment to strengthening public health capacity and intersectoral collaboration to address vector-borne threats,' said a WHO Egypt representative. Participants engaged in practical demonstrations, including the development of tools for controlling disease-carrying vectors. The training is competency-based and includes mentoring to reinforce field epidemiology skills. Egypt's FETP, first established in 1993, has trained over 385 epidemiologists and operates at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. WHO continues to provide technical support to the programme through updates to training materials, mentoring, reviewing scientific outputs, and logistical assistance for fieldwork and workshops. By investing in this initiative, Egypt aims to bolster its preparedness and response capabilities, contributing to the country's broader efforts to protect public health and build a more resilient health system. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Egypt launches the first field epidemiology training programme in vector control in the Middle East and North Africa
The WHO Country Office in Egypt supported the Ministry of Health and Population in launching the Middle East and North Africa's first field epidemiology training programme (FETP) focused on vector control. Supported by the Pandemic Fund, it aims to strengthen national capacity in detecting, preventing and responding to vector-borne diseases. The training involved 32 participants, mainly agricultural engineers from the human and animal sectors. It is designed to build workforce capacity to manage and respond to vector-borne disease outbreaks by strengthening and fostering multisectoral collaboration and communication across the human, animal and environmental health sectors using the One Health approach. The training combines short classroom-based modules with extended field placements. Over 6 months, participants attend 3 workshops, each followed by field assignments to reinforce practical skills. The programme allocates 20% of training time to classroom instruction and 80% to hands-on fieldwork across different governorates. Egypt FETP comprises competency-based, mentored training that helps public health professionals enhance their field epidemiology knowledge, skills and competencies. Established in 1993, it has trained and graduated 385 epidemiologists. FETP operates at basic, intermediate and advanced levels. WHO Egypt has continued to provide technical support to Egypt's FETP, including updating training materials, mentoring participants, reviewing reports, abstracts and manuscripts and offering logistical support such as organizing workshops and other fieldwork activities. Successful implementation of the training will enhance Egypt's capacity for prevention, preparedness, detection and response to outbreaks, contributing to the safeguarding of public health and health system resilience. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pandemic funds
Listen to article Pakistan's launch of an $18.7 million project under the global Pandemic Fund marks a promising step toward fortifying its fragile health security systems. The project, backed by the WHO, FAO and ADB, is commendable for its adoption of the "One Health" approach — a model that acknowledges the deep interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. In a country where zoonotic diseases are on the rise and antimicrobial resistance is becoming a silent crisis, such integration is necessary. By setting up One Health Units nationwide, Pakistan is attempting to move beyond its traditionally reactive stance on public health crises. These units are expected to enhance disease surveillance and strengthen early warning systems, all while promoting data sharing across sectors. The focus on embedded governance frameworks and workforce training is particularly noteworthy, suggesting a departure from short-term project thinking toward system-wide resilience. However, ambition must meet accountability. Historically, funds for public health have either remained under-utilised or suffered from bureaucratic inertia. Pakistan's healthcare infrastructure, especially at district and provincial levels, remains underdeveloped and underfunded — a gap this initiative must directly confront. Moreover, for One Health Units to succeed, collaboration across ministries — of health, agriculture and climate — must be institutionalised, not limited to symbolic presence at launch events. Without clear inter-ministerial coordination and proper follow-through, this effort risks becoming yet another pilot project that fails to scale. This pandemic fund offers Pakistan a rare opportunity to strengthen its national health security before the next crisis arrives. But it must be treated as more than a donor-driven initiative. Transparency and government commitment are essential if Pakistan truly wants to future-proof itself against the crises of tomorrow.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
With Ayushman Bharat & National Digital Health Mission, India is better prepared for next pandemic says World Bank official
New Delhi: India has made significant efforts to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Priya Basu , Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund at the World Bank . Speaking exclusively with ANI, Basu highlighted the steps taken by India to be better prepared for future health emergencies. Basu pointed out that schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Digital Health Mission are key parts of India's strategy to improve healthcare access and infrastructure. When asked if India is better prepared to handle another pandemic, Basu said, "I would say that efforts have been made in India to improve access to healthcare, healthcare infrastructure. There's the Ayushman Bharat and There's the National Digital Health Mission." She added that preparing a country for the next pandemic is not an easy task but important lessons have been learned from COVID-19. "Lessons that involve having that surge capacity to be able to quickly ramp up testing, having the necessary equipment, PPE capacity in hospitals, in terms of ICU units, ICU beds," she explained. Basu said that while the world is still not fully prepared for the next outbreak, efforts are being made. She also spoke about the Pandemic Fund, a global initiative launched in 2022, which helps low and middle-income countries build their pandemic preparedness . "The pandemic fund is one shining example of really intentionally working with low and middle income countries to strengthen their capacity," Basu said. Talking about investments, she said, "The costs involved or the investments required to get all low and middle income countries to the right level of preparedness are a small fraction of the losses that the world will incur if we are not prepared." She highlighted a joint study by the World Bank and WHO that estimated USD 150 billion of investment over five years could prepare all countries compared to the trillions lost during COVID-19. Basu also explained how India is benefiting from the Pandemic Fund. "We have a project in India which is a grant that is blended with loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation," she said. She detailed that a USD 25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund is supporting India's One Health mission by strengthening animal surveillance, animal laboratories, veterinary workforce, and farm biosecurity. India has been an active supporter of the Pandemic Fund from the start. "India is a founding contributor to the pandemic fund. It is one of the countries that came forward right in the beginning," Basu said. She also mentioned that India recently doubled its contribution to the fund and sits on its governing board as a voting member.
India Gazette
28-04-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
With Ayushman Bharat & National Digital Health Mission, India is better prepared for next pandemic says World Bank official
By Nikhil Dedha New Delhi [India], April 28 (ANI): India has made significant efforts to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure after the COVID-19 pandemic, said Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund at the World Bank. Speaking exclusively with ANI, Basu highlighted the steps taken by India to be better prepared for future health emergencies. Basu pointed out that schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Digital Health Mission are key parts of India's strategy to improve healthcare access and infrastructure. When asked if India is better prepared to handle another pandemic, Basu said, 'I would say that efforts have been made in India to improve access to healthcare, healthcare infrastructure. There's the Ayushman Bharat and There's the National Digital Health Mission.' She added that preparing a country for the next pandemic is not an easy task but important lessons have been learned from COVID-19. 'Lessons that involve having that surge capacity to be able to quickly ramp up testing, having the necessary equipment, PPE capacity in hospitals, in terms of ICU units, ICU beds,' she explained. Basu said that while the world is still not fully prepared for the next outbreak, efforts are being made. She also spoke about the Pandemic Fund, a global initiative launched in 2022, which helps low and middle-income countries build their pandemic preparedness. 'The pandemic fund is one shining example of really intentionally working with low and middle income countries to strengthen their capacity,' Basu said. Talking about investments, she said, 'The costs involved or the investments required to get all low and middle income countries to the right level of preparedness are a small fraction of the losses that the world will incur if we are not prepared.' She highlighted a joint study by the World Bank and WHO that estimated USD 150 billion of investment over five years could prepare all countries compared to the trillions lost during COVID-19. Basu also explained how India is benefiting from the Pandemic Fund. 'We have a project in India which is a grant that is blended with loans from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation,' she said. She detailed that a USD 25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund is supporting India's One Health mission by strengthening animal surveillance, animal laboratories, veterinary workforce, and farm biosecurity. India has been an active supporter of the Pandemic Fund from the start. 'India is a founding contributor to the pandemic fund. It is one of the countries that came forward right in the beginning,' Basu said. She also mentioned that India recently doubled its contribution to the fund and sits on its governing board as a voting member. (ANI)
