Report of the Second Regional Consultation
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of capacity strengthening: Community and Intermediate Level Group 1, CentralNational Level – Health Sector Focus Group 2, CentralNational
Level – Intersectoral Focus Group 3, Designations Points of Entry Group 4. After discussion the groups reported back at a plenary session. There was a
brief presentation from Dr M ichael Baker on the potential use of an Inventory of Capacity in M ember States of W HO SEA Region to support implementation
of IHR.
The meeting concluded with a plenary session where the rapporteur presented a summary of the meeting process, outcomes and
recommendations. This was followed by concluding remarks from Dr Guenael Rodier, Dr A.S. Abullah and Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh.
4. PRESENTATIO NS O N REVIEW O F IH R
The following presentations were made during the consultation meeting. The full text of the inaugural speech made by the Deputy Regional Director is at
Annex 4. Copies of the other presentations are available on request.
4.1 Inaugural Address by the D eputy Regional D irector
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Deputy Regional Director, W HO-SEARO, welcomed the participants to the Second Regional Consultation on the
Proposed Revised International Health Regulations. She highlighted the need for revision of the current IHR which were issued in 1969. This has assumed
greater urgency because of the increasing globalization of infectious diseases, as demonstrated during the recent outbreaks of SARS and avian influenza.
She summarized the important milestones in the IHR revision process thus far and the regional consultation process undertaken in the SEA Region, notably
the First Regional Consultation of IHR National Focal Points in April 2004 and the subsequent national consultations on the proposed IHR. There was a bi-
regional consultation with the W estern Pacific Regional Office. Significant issues identified at these consultations have included: the need for clearly
defining the role of national IHR focal points and the support they need; the scope of IHR with regard to non-biological hazards chemical and
radiological; refining the decision instrument to determine public health emergencies of international concern PHEIC by including lists of disease
conditions; clarifying some of the definitions used in the legal document; and outlining clear mechanisms for notification of PHEIC by concerned national
International H ealth Regulations
Page 5
authorities. She also highlighted the need to review existing core capacities and facilities in relation to those required to implement the revised IHR.
4.2 Global H ealth Security and the International H ealth Regulations
Dr Guenael Rodier, W HOHQ presented an overview of communicable disease surveillance and response. This began with an outline of the dynamic
nature of microbial threats. M icro-organisms evolve and spread resulting in the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases across the globe.
These natural processes are exacerbated by ‘man-made’ threats from accidental and deliberate releases of infectious agents. He outlined the three
strategic directions for responding to these threats: containing known risks; responding to the unexpected; and improving preparedness. Containing
known risks includes influenza pandemic preparedness and measures aimed at containing meningitis, yellow fever and cholera. Responding to the
unexpected includes continuous screening of events of potential international importance and outbreak responses coordinated through the Global Outbreak
Alert and Response Network GO ARN. Improving preparedness includes efficient early warning systems, integrated diseases surveillance, strengthening
national referral laboratories, strengthening bio-safety programmes, and preparedness for deliberate epidemics. The new IHR will support all of these
broad strategies.
4.3 An O verview of IH R Revision Process and Consultations
