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In October 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with various stakeholders and Member States, initiated the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) for its inaugural deployment to assist nations grappling with mpox outbreaks.
The GHEC is a collective of professionals aimed at enhancing responses to health crises and serves as a collaborative platform for countries and health emergency networks. Its mission includes bolstering national health emergency workforces, facilitating the rapid deployment of specialists, and fostering connections among technical leaders. Established by WHO in 2023, GHEC emerged from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic that highlighted the necessity for better coordination among existing networks to provide more effective support to affected nations.
“WHO and its partners are aiding the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo along with other nations in executing a comprehensive strategy that encompasses case detection, contact tracing, targeted vaccination efforts, clinical care both at home and in facilities, infection prevention measures, community engagement initiatives, and logistical support,” stated Dr. Mike Ryan, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme. “The GHEC amplifies collaboration among numerous effective responders at both national and regional levels to ensure successful interventions on-site that can disrupt transmission chains while alleviating suffering.”
This initial activation follows WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus’s declaration on August 14th that mpox constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. This year alone has seen eighteen African nations report cases of mpox; additionally, there are rising concerns regarding clade 1b mpox spreading rapidly into at least two other regions.
In conjunction with the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), GHEC is evaluating workforce capabilities across eight countries impacted by this outbreak—most notably including Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo which have been severely affected. Preliminary assessments have pinpointed twenty-two critical areas requiring enhancement such as epidemiology surveillance systems, laboratory capabilities for testing infections effectively, infection control protocols as well as risk communication strategies aimed at engaging communities effectively. In response to these challenges within the Democratic Republic of Congo specifically; partners within its Health Cluster are collaborating closely under guidance from their Ministry of Health through an established public health emergency operations center.
As reported on October 17th by WHO officials; they have successfully deployed fifty-six experts across impacted regions—this group comprises both WHO personnel alongside specialists mobilized via networks like Global Outbreak Alert Response Network (GOARN) as well as African Volunteers Health Corps (AVoHC-SURGE). The AVoHC-SURGE team consists increasingly diverse professionals equipped with essential skills ready for deployment throughout Africa.
“By utilizing trained individuals from within Africa itself we guarantee timely responses tailored specifically towards local contexts,” remarked Dr. Abdou Salam Gueye who serves as Regional Emergency Director for WHO’s Africa office adding: “The commitment shown by these responders plays an indispensable role not only in saving lives but also fortifying healthcare systems against future threats.”
Moreover; GOARN spearheads initiatives aimed at cataloging assistance provided bilaterally between partners supporting affected countries alongside regional coordination frameworks encompassing expert provision supplies financial aid capacity building activities amongst others.
Upcoming Coordination Efforts
A significant meeting took place on October 22nd where technical leaders from impacted regions convened alongside representatives from nations previously facing similar outbreaks—discussing optimal control strategies sharing best practices while coordinating efforts necessary halt ongoing transmission rates effectively.
Editor’s Note:
- Emergency Workforce Assessment: The GHEC conducts thorough evaluations regarding workforce capacities present within afflicted territories identifying gaps impeding efficient responses.
- Sprint Deployment Capabilities: Nations may request specialized assistance drawing upon pools comprising experts possessing requisite skill sets aligned directly towards identified needs enabling swift deployments into crisis zones when required urgently!
- A Leadership Network:The initiative encourages country representatives connecting amongst themselves sharing insights coordinating actions taken during emergencies involving disease outbreaks ensuring cohesive approaches adopted universally!
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