INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
REGULATIONS - SCI & TECH
News: Ground-breaking progress made
in Member State negotiations on amendments to the International Health
Regulations (IHR)
What's in the news?
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In an historic milestone for global public health,
State Parties today agreed in principle on a large, ground-breaking package of
amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005).
Key takeaways:
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These amendments build on over 300 proposals made
by countries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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They set out to improve the ability of countries to
prepare for, detect and respond to Public Health Emergencies of International
Concern (PHEICs), and will be part of a package to be put forward to the World
Health Assembly (WHA).
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The WHA takes place from 27 May–1 June 2024.
International Health
Regulations (IHR):
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It provides an overarching
legal framework that defines countries rights
and obligations to report public health events, handling public health
events and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders.
Backdrop:
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The IHR, which were first adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1969 and last
revised in 2005, were conceived to maximize collective efforts to manage public
health events while at the same time minimizing their disruption to travel and
trade.
Features:
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The IHR are an instrument of international law that
is legally-binding on 196 countries,
including the 194 WHO Member States.
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The Regulations also outline the criteria to
determine whether or not a particular event constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern”.
Principles of IHR:
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The IHR introduces important safeguards to protect the rights of travellers and other
persons in relation to the treatment of personal data, informed consent and
non-discrimination in the application of health measures under the Regulations.
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The goal of country implementation is to limit the spread of health risks to
neighbouring countries and to prevent unwarranted travel and trade
restrictions.
Implementation of IHR:
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IHR requires countries to designate a National IHR Focal Point for
communications with WHO.
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Establish and maintain core capacities for
surveillance and response, including at designated points of entry.
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Additional provisions address the areas of
international travel and transport such as the health documents required for
international traffic.
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The responsibility for implementing the IHR rests
upon all States Parties that are bound by the Regulations and on WHO.
Role of Countries in
IHR:
The IHR require countries to do the following:
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Detection - Make sure surveillance systems can detect acute
public health events in a timely manner.
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Assess and Report - Use the decision instrument given in the IHR to
assess public health events and report to WHO through their National IHR Focal
Point those that may constitute a public health emergency of international
concern.
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Respond - Respond to public health risks and emergencies.
Role of WHO in IHR:
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WHO plays the coordinating role in IHR
implementation and, together with its partners, helps countries to build
capacities.
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WHO supports countries in strengthening and
maintaining their capacities for ensuring rapid detection, verification and
response to public health risks, it develops and provides tools, guidance and
training.