And Emergency Response, As External Evaluation Begins
PHOTO: Dr. Musu Duworko, WHO, Dr. Julius Gilayeneh, NPHIL&Ibrahim Ahmed
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmal.com
Liberia is expected to host its joint external evaluation for international health regulation core capacities in Monrovia next Monday, September 4, 2023.
The joint external evaluation, which is a comprehensive assessment of Liberia’s readiness to prevent, will detect and respond to public health emergencies in line with international health regulation, is organized by the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, the Ministry of Health and sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Speaking at a press conference in Congo Town NPHI’s Deputy Director General for Technical Services Dr. Julius Gilayeneh, said the success of the joint external evaluation hinges on collaboration with local and international partners.
According to him, since the first JEE, Liberia has made substantial progress in strengthening the health systems and emergency response capabilities, as evident by response to the COVID 19 pandemic.
“We have directly worked to address the recommendations from the internal evaluation, bolstering our ability to effectively manage health crisis” he said; adding: “the upcoming 2023 JEE will offer a comprehensive e valuation of Liberia’s current status by pinpointing evolving gaps and opportunities.”
Dr. Gilayeneh explained that these insights will chart a course for targeted interventions to overall systems strengthening in protecting the lives of peoples, animals and the environment.
The NPHIL Deputy Director General maintained that the success of the joint External Evaluation binges on the collaboration and partnership and commended the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Bank.
Gilayeneh then urged Liberians to recognize the significance of the upcoming JEE and re-affirmed the government’s commitment to strengthen the health systems and emergency response in an investment in the health and prosperity of the nation.
In remarks, the Advisor on Family Health and Population at the World Health organization, Dr. Musu Duworko, who spoke on behalf of the Country Representative of the World Health Organization, Dr. Peter Clement, called on Liberians and international partners to actively engage in events during the joint external evaluation in order to carefully assess Liberia’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to infectious diseases and other public health threats.
According to her, the JEE will bring together a diverse group of national and international experts fostering collective introspection into a nation’s strength and weakness interims of preparedness, prevention, detection and response to public health threats.
The WHO Advisor pointed out that the JEE will provide an opportunity to evaluate the investment made by the Liberian government in collaboration with partners, following the out-break and during COVID-19 pandemic in building a resilient system using the one health and whole of government.
“In essence,” he went on, “the overarching goal is to offer recommendations that will enhance Liberia’s readiness and response mechanisms to infectious disease and other public health threats, while also maintaining the provision of essential health services to the population, especially the most vulnerable groups in Liberia.”
“Through these combined efforts, we are steadfastly advancing towards a Liberia where the health and well-being of every individual are safeguarded.”
Remarking during the press conference, the Country Team Leader of the Emergency Center for Trans-Boundary Animal, Dr. Ibrahim Gashash Ahmed, expressed optimism on the out of the evaluation because Liberians are taking lead of their wealth of experiences of health authorities in the sector.