World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region director Poonam Khetrapal Singh has stated that South East Asian nations have to be prepared to combat and control epidemics and pandemics, and increase risk management in crisis situations.
Singh made the statement speaking in the regional committee meeting currently being held in East Timor. She said that this region was prone to health pandemics and stressed on the importance of prevention rather than cure.
Preparedness and financial backing for such crisis is related to international health safety. Additionally, nations have to abide by the measures set in the international health regulations issued in 2005. WHO is active in providing assistance for nations, especially in providing frameworks for pandemic prevention. As such WHO provided assistance in prevention, strengthening entry points, laboratory bio safety and bio security. With the recent outbreak of MERS and Ebola these aspects have been further strengthened.
Past few years for this region had been especially chaotic, given the SARS, Avian influenza, health risks arising from the 2004 tsumani, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Identifying the risks associated with such cases is more vital than ever.
Singh stated that the earthquake in Nepal had shown the level of preparedness. She said that many lives had been saved due to the measures enacted in Kathmandu hospital, especially in the contingency measures and training given to the staff.
Due to the measures, WHO was able to respond to the crisis in Nepal mere hours after the earthquake occurred. Funds were secured within a day from the South East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF).
WHO has also been instrumental in the rescue of Burma citizens from 14 states of the nation after the heavy floods. WHO was able to extend financial and technical assistance from the SEARHEF.
The fund and other measures were established following the 2004 tsunami, which had affected 11 nations of the region. Since then SEARHEF had provided assistance to 9 countries for 25 emergency situations. WHO had established 12 benchmarks to follow in times of crisis and has been working with the regional nations to enact and strengthen the benchmarks.
The organization added that disaster preparedness and preventing outbreaks in the region was a flagship project for the organization.
Vital to prepare for health related risks: WHO
