Functioning of the International Health Regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aavitsland, Preben; Aguilera, Ximena; Al-Abri, Seif; Amani, Vincent; Aramburu, C; Attia, Thouraya Annabi; Blumberg, Lucille; Chittaganpitch, Malinee; Duc, James W. Le; Li, Dexin; Mokhtari‐Azad, Talat; Moussif, Mohamed; Ojo, Olubunmi; Okwo‐Bele, Jean‐Marie; Saito, Tomoya; Sall, Amadou Alpha; Salter, Mark; Sohn, Myong-Sei; Wieler, Lothar H.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01911-5

Cited by 20 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…All 196 signatories to the IHR (2005) are required to report progress towards IHR core capacity implementation through an annual multi-sectoral self-assessment process known as the SPAR; while JEE is intended to occur once every 4–5 years following a voluntary request from the member state. The Review Committee on the Functioning of the IHR (2005) during the COVID-19 response concluded “that much of what is in the IHR is well considered, appropriate and meaningful in any public health emergency”, but the problem is that “many countries only applied the IHR in part, were not sufficiently aware of these regulations or deliberately ignored them” (Aavitsland et al. , 2021).…”

Section: Results and Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic deepened inequities in global health in many aspects and raised questions about the effectiveness of some established tools and approaches (e.g. public-private partnerships, emergency preparedness assessments, International Health Regulations), and their applicability to global health emergencies (Storeng et al, 2021;Ekstr€ om et al, 2021;Aavitsland et al, 2021;Kentikelenis and Seabrooke, 2021;Kaiser et al, 2021;Ahen, 2021).…”

Section: Aim and Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, 2021; Ekström et al. , 2021; Aavitsland et al. , 2021; Kentikelenis and Seabrooke, 2021; Kaiser et al , 2021; Ahen, 2021).…”

Section: Aim and Backgroundunclassified

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Governance for global health: the role of Nordic countries

Ibragimova¹

2022

IJHG

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PurposeGlobal health challenges and threats could be confronted by collaborative efforts of international community. Governance for global health is a set of formal and informal processes, operating beyond state boundaries, and refers to institutions and mechanisms established at the national, regional and international levels. Nordic countries demonstrated a long-standing commitment to development assistance for health (DAH), and more recently to governance for global health. Governance for global health tools could be used effectively to achieve collective solutions for the maintenance and promotion of health as a common good, could ensure accountability and transparency, and reconcile the interests of different actors on the international and national levels. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of tools and approaches in support of eight sub-functions of governance for global health applied by the Nordic countries. This will help international audience to compare those mechanisms with similar mechanisms that are available or planned in their countries and regions, and may benefit policy scholars and practitioners.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses qualitative review of research literature, policy documents and information available from institutional websites related to the governance of global health in four Nordic countries. In total, 50 selected publications were analyzed using framework synthesis, mapping all findings to 8 dimensions (sub-functions) of governance for global health and related tools.FindingsReview reveals which tools are available, how they have been applied by the Nordic countries and influenced all domains (sub-functions) of governance for global health at different levels: national governments, agencies and networks; bilateral and multilateral partnerships; inter-governmental institutions and international health-related organizations. Common trends and approaches in governance for global health have been formulated.Originality/valueThis study is unique in relation to the prior literature as it looks at the role of Nordic countries in the governance for global health system through the lens of tools applied in support to its sub-functions.

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Section: Results and Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Aim and Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Governance for global health: the role of Nordic countries

Ibragimova¹

2022

IJHG

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“…This raises questions if the IHR are perhaps deficient and could in fact constrain rather than facilitate rapid action ( 34 ). However, the Review Committee on the Functioning of the IHR (2005) during the COVID-19 Response found inadequate IHR implementation and adherence by WHO and its member states ( 35 ). States have largely failed to implement the required measures ( 36 ).…”

Section: Adherence To and Effectiveness Of International Instrumentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complementarity of International Instruments in the Field of Biosecurity

Vennis

Bošković

Bleijs

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the devastating impact of infectious disease outbreaks and the threat of emerging and re-emerging dangerous pathogens, independent of their origin. Natural, accidental, and deliberate disease outbreaks all need systems in place for an effective public health response. The best known international instrument in the field of public health is the WHO International Health Regulations (2005). Although the International Health Regulations are mainly focused on natural disease outbreaks, the actions to take to comply with them also contribute to biosecurity and non-proliferation. This paper examines in case of full implementation of the International Health Regulations, what other actions states should take to comply with international biosecurity instruments, including the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540, to effectively prevent and defend against intentional biological threats. An overview of international instruments from different disciplines regarding biosecurity is presented. Furthermore, this paper clarifies the similarities between the international biosecurity instruments and addresses the additional requirements that instruments stipulate. From a detailed comparison between the instruments it can be concluded that, to adhere to all legally-binding international biosecurity instruments, specific non-proliferation and export control measures are necessary in addition to full implementation of the International Health Regulations. Additionally, an overview of non-legally binding instruments in the field of biosecurity is presented and practical implementation examples are highlighted. Compliance with legally binding instruments can be improved by precise guidance provided by non-legally binding instruments that are clear and attuned to the situation on the ground. To improve understanding of the existing international instruments, this paper aims to provide an overview of the international legal biosecurity framework to biosecurity experts, policymakers, civil servants, and practitioners. It offers possible practical applications for the politico-legal context and accommodates the enhancement of full employment of biosecurity resources for an improved multidisciplinary capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.

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“…Insufficient data reporting by many countries during the COVID-19 pandemic has made them non-compliant with the IHR [ 4 ]. Furthermore, variability and instability in global COVID-19 data reporting have created challenges for researchers, public health experts and policymakers, which have led to a call for a standardised approach for data reporting [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 data reporting systems in Africa reveal insights for future pandemics

et al. 2022

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Globally, countries have used diverse methods to report data during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using international guidelines and principles of emergency management, we compare national data reporting systems in African countries in order to determine lessons for future pandemics. We analyse COVID-19 reporting practices across 54 African countries through 2020. Reporting systems were diverse and included summaries, press releases, situation reports and online dashboards. These systems were communicated via social media accounts and websites belonging to ministries of health and public health. Data variables from the reports included event detection (cases/deaths/recoveries), risk assessment (demographics/ co-morbidities) and response (total tests/hospitalisations). Of countries with reporting systems, 36/53 (67.9%) had recurrent situation reports and/or online dashboards which provided more extensive data. All of these systems reported cases, deaths and recoveries. However, few systems contained risk assessment and response data, with only 5/36 (13.9%) reporting patient co-morbidities and 9/36 (25%) including total hospitalisations. Further evaluation of reporting practices in Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal and South Africa as examples from different sub-regions revealed differences in reporting healthcare capacity and preparedness data. Improving the standardisation and accessibility of national data reporting systems could augment research and decision-making, as well as increase public awareness and transparency for national governments.

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Functioning of the International Health Regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 20 publications

References 3 publications

Governance for global health: the role of Nordic countries

Governance for global health: the role of Nordic countries

Complementarity of International Instruments in the Field of Biosecurity

COVID-19 data reporting systems in Africa reveal insights for future pandemics

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