Zanzibar, 24 April 2017 : WHO and partners supported the Zanzibar Island to conduct a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) for IHR Core Capacities. The event was officiated by the Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Honorable Riziki Pembe Juma. Also present during the occasion were the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Ms. Asha Abdala, Directors from the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Livestock, Disaster Risk Management, and, representatives of various sectors and agencies and the external evaluators.

Honorable Riziki Pembe Juma stressed Zanzibar’s commitment to fulfill its obligation to build core capacities for IHR and thanked WHO and all the partners for the technical and financial support. The Principal Secretary in her remarks emphasized the need for readiness to deal with health emergencies.

On behalf of WHO, Dr Ghirmay Andemichael, Liaison Officer for Zanzibar commended the Government of Zanzibar for taking steps to conduct the voluntary JEE evaluation of the IHR (2005). He emphasized the need for strengthening the institutions and systems to deal with health emergencies and urged sectors and various development partners to work together to avoid catastrophes that may emanate from disease outbreaks. The collaboration demonstrates multi-sectoral participation and representation, positive engagement and share of information, by both government and partners.

This activity, led by the government with support of WHO and other partners will validate the country’s IHR core capacities based on Zanzibar’s own initial internal self-assessment conduced in March  2017. The results of the evaluation will form the foundation of the next critical steps of developing the National Action Plan for Health Security. The success of these subsequent steps will contribute to the health security of Zanzibar.  This exercise is an opportunity for capacity building on IHR core capacity, strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration and participation and engagement of various actors and stakeholders in the quest to concur outbreaks of diseases and events in Zanzibar. 

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For more information, please contact:

Technical contacts:

Dr. Grace Saguti; Tel: +255 754 287 875; Email: sagutig [at] who.int. 
Media contacts: Dr. Neema Kileo; Tel: +255 755 551 804; Email: kileon [at] who.int