Background and Introduction
WHO Member States are striving at improving global health security preparedness, by building core capacities for implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 in countries. WHO and partners, together with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) in Namibia have consequently started to align country and partner efforts around a unified and multi-sectoral preparedness framework for a harmonized technical, financing, and evaluation benchmarks in the country. Following the voluntary Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of IHR Core Capacities that was conducted in Namibia in December 2017, the country is in the final stages of completing a National Action Plans for Health Security (NAPHS), for preventing, detecting and responding to public health threats independently of whether they are natural, deliberate or accidental emergencies. This NAPHS is expected to be reviewed, costed and finalized in the meeting that is scheduled to take place from 31 October to 2 November 2017, in Namibia.
Objectives of the Meeting:
• To review the relevant background documents, including the JEE Report 2016 and policy documents
• To review and allocate cost estimates; and collate information as provided by technical area leads
• To finalize the costed 5-Year and the annual National Action Plan for Health Security for Namibia
Participants to the meeting:
These will include stakeholders from relevant government ministries, such as the Office of the Prime Minister, Minisry of Finance, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Laboratory, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Home affairs, and UN agencies such as the WHO, FAO,and UNDP.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, Honorable Julieta Kavetuna, is expected to officiate at the opening and closing of the meeting.
Venue: Marriot Protea Hotel, Walvis Bay
Date: 31 October to 2 November 2017
Technical Contact:
Mr. Petrus Mhata
Disease Surveillance Officer,
Email: mhatap [at] who.int
Media Contact:
Mrs Celia Kaunatjike
Health Promotion Officer
Email: kaunatjikec [at] who.int