Report highlights Singapore’s significant efforts in health security

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Identified strengths included the use of innovation and technology to strengthen disease detection and response, collegiality and coordination across agencies, and a demonstrated commitment to improving policies and practices based on lessons learnt during real-life events and simulations. — Reuters photo

MANILA/SINGAPORE: Singapore has demonstrated strong leadership and a highly developed capacity to detect and respond to potential public health emergencies – so states a new report from a group of international health experts.

The report is the compilation of the findings of what is known as a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of the country’s implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR (2005)).

IHR (2005) is a legally binding instrument requiring countries to build a minimum set of core capacities to be better able to protect their citizens, and the citizens of other countries, during outbreaks and health emergencies.

In the Western Pacific Region, the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III) guides countries on how to implement IHR (2005).

The JEE process commenced in Singapore in February 2017 with a self-evaluation overseen by the Public Health Group of the Ministry of Health. Over more than 12 months, stakeholders in Singapore gathered and assessed the information and supporting documents required to conduct a rigorous self-assessment of IHR core capacities in preparation for the JEE.

From April 16 to 24, 2018, a multisectoral team of international experts, coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), worked jointly with their national counterparts to review Singapore’s IHR core capacities across 19 technical areas and 48 specific indicators.

Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, said, “We cannot be complacent and we must continue to strengthen our core capabilities to prevent, detect and respond promptly and effectively to public health threats.

“We appreciate the Joint External Evaluation team’s efforts and contributions, and the review has been a useful learning experience for Singapore through the exchange of information and best practices.”

JEE participants highlighted the significant efforts Singapore has made to strengthen health security in the wake of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003.

Identified strengths included the use of innovation and technology to strengthen disease detection and response, collegiality and coordination across agencies, and a demonstrated commitment to improving policies and practices based on lessons learnt during real-life events and simulations. The country was encouraged to intensify their support for regional and global health security.

“Singapore has built significant health security capacity over the past 15 years,” said Dr Lo Ying-Ru Jacqueline, WHO representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the country now share their capacity and experience with more countries across the Region. Diseases don’t respect borders, so we can only be truly safe if our neighbours also have strong capacity to detect and respond to outbreaks and emergencies.”

Dr Li Ailan, Regional Emergency Director for WHO in the Western Pacific, likewise applauded Singapore’s progress. She reminded the country of the need for continued investment in health security, explaining, “The next pandemic threat will emerge when we least expect it. We must be prepared. Everyone has more to do, including countries with advanced health systems like Singapore.”