ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was presented as a model to countries attending the World Health Assembly as the first nation to conduct Joint External Evaluation of Core Capacities to respond to disease outbreaks and level of preparedness to deal with pandemics.
The recognition came at a special session on International Health Regulations at the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Saturday. The session participated by delegates from 59 countries was chaired by Finland and Australia.
Pakistan’s Joint External Evaluation exercise was presented as a model for other nations to follow. Pakistan had initiated the exercise in early 2016 across the country with a team of international public health experts and completed it late last year.
Eight different core capacities were evaluated in the year-long process. Pakistan’s Health Director Dr Assad Hafeez made a presentation elaborating the process.
National Health Services Minister Saira Afzal Tarar who is leading Pakistan delegation said that transparency has been the hallmark of health reforms in the country which has been recognised at this prestigious global forum.
She said that Pakistan was ready to share its experiences with any country desirous of strengthening their core capacities as part of the Global Health Security Agenda.