WHO TO ESTABLISH FUNDING STREAM FOR HEALTH EMERGENCIES IN SE ASIAN REGION
In a critical step for emergency preparedness across the Southeast Asia Region, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) member countries have agreed to establish a dedicated funding stream, aimed at building preparedness for health emergencies in the region at the conclusion of the five-day regional sessions held in Colombo.
The 69th Sessions of the WHO Regional Committee for South East Asia was held in Colombo from September 5 to 9 and attended by 200 to 250 delegates from 15 countries in South East Asia.
The Colombo Declaration released after the final session identified South East Asia as one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world.
“To date, post-disaster funding through South-east Asia Regional Health
A joint funding stream under the South-east Asian Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to help countries better prepare for such emergencies was established by member countries as a key priority for the regional health agenda
Emergency Fund has done an excellent job of helping countries respond to health emergencies once they’ve occurred, as we saw recently in Nepal and Sri Lanka. The new funding stream will allow countries to invest in infrastructure and human resources that will enhance preparedness,” Regional Director, WHO South-east Asia Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, said.
In recent years, earthquakes, cyclones and floods have resulted in a myriad of health emergencies in the South-east Asian region. The region has also been threatened by a range of pandemics, including SARS, MERS, COV, pandemic influenza and the Zika virus.
A joint funding stream under the SouthEast Asian Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to help countries better prepare for such emergencies was established by member countries as a key priority for the regional health agenda. At present, SEARHEF funds are disbursed only once a disaster has occurred.
“Enhancing health security is a critical component of our public health mission and a core part of WHO’S work in the South-east Asian region. The new funding stream for emergency preparedness established by member countries is an expression of the solidarity shared within the region as well as recognition that preparedness is less costly than response,” Dr. Khetrapal Singh said.
Another resolution passed by the session called for the promotion of physical activity across the region. Insufficient physical activity is a major contributor in the rising rates of noncommunicable diseases in the region, with four-fifths of adolescents not receiving the required amount.
The Regional Committee Meeting is WHO South-east Asian region’s highest decision-making body and includes health ministers and senior health ministry officials of the 11 member countries of the region – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-leste.