Doha, June 09 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has completed the second and final phase of the Joint External Assessment of the International Health Regulations (2005), which covered 19 technical areas, including surveillance, investigation, and response capacities for multiple risks such as infectious diseases and chemical and radiological hazards.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) stated that this assessment is a key reference for measuring progress in the International Health Regulations (2005).

In this framework, the MoPH, in cooperation with The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, organized the second phase of the Joint External Evaluation Workshop of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the presence of 138 specialists from various departments of the Ministry of Public Health and other ministries in the country, in addition to representatives of the private health sector, Qatar Red Crescent and other competent authorities.

During the workshop, practical training was carried out on how to face risks and emergencies in the areas of surveillance and response to communicable diseases, vaccinations, laboratories, pharmacy, supply and logistics, infection control and antimicrobial resistance, risk communication, planning, financing, human resources, emergency preparedness and response, food safety, animal health, environmental health, port health, in addition to chemical and radiological emergencies and security.

Director of MoPH Health Emergency Department Dr. Soha Al Bayat highlighted the continuous efforts undertaken by MoPH to improve and maintain the State of Qatars core capacities in the field of International Health Regulations (2005), noting the importance of the WHO Joint External Assessment a pivotal element in the countrys overall support in assessing and reporting on the core International Health Regulations (IHR) capacities. She added that the State of Qatar will benefit from such tasks which will pave the way for further improvements in the capacities if necessary.

The first phase of the evaluation was held in August 2023 with the participation of representatives from MoPH and competent authorities in the State of Qatar. (QNA)