WHO activates Global Emergency Corps in response to smallpox outbreak: what it is and functions
World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners, in close cooperation with their member states, activated on Tuesday for the first time Global Health Emergency Corps (HES). Cause? Clear: Provide support to countries experiencing monkeypox outbreaks (mpox).
“WHO and its partners support the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries to apply an integrated approach to case detection, contact tracing, selective vaccination, clinical and home care, infection prevention and control, community engagement and mobilization, and specialized logistics support,” he said. Mike RyanExecutive Director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program.
Definition
World Corps appears to be a platform for collaboration among countries and networks responding to health emergencies that groups large and numerous set specialized specialists in these very specific situations.
Target
Its function give greater support for countries in terms of their response personnel to these emergencies, the rapid deployment of specialists and the creation of networks of technical managers. It was created by WHO in 2023.after the Covid-19 pandemic.
To take into account
First activation of this new support mechanismIt should be noted that there is following the declaration of monkeypox as a public health emergency of international concern. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus 14 August 2024
Since then, 18 African countries have reported cases of monkeypox this year, and the rapid spread of clade 1b monkeypox in at least two other regions has raised concerns about further distribution.
In collaboration with the International Association of National Institutes of Public Health, GHEC is assessing opportunities Emergency workers in eight countries affected by monkeypox outbreak. Yes, including Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundithe two most affected countries.
To date, the assessment has revealed 22 regions what do they need strengthenincluding epidemiology and surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement.