H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: lessons learnt and future strategy

A novel strain of influenza A virus H1N1 surfaced in Mexico in April 2009 and quickly spread across the globe, turning an epidemic into a pandemic. Within two months, the World Health Organization [WHO] declared an international health emergency and raised the threat bar from level V to level VI, i.e. containment to mitigation. During this time, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean worked closely with its Member States, other stakeholders and WHO headquarters to manage the situation. This report examines the steps taken as part of this response. Programme documents were reviewed and key personnel interviewed for this study. A hallmark of the response was the establishment of the Strategic Health Operations Centre to bring together experts from different technical backgrounds at regional level. Several lessons were learnt that can provide the basis for standard operating procedures, protocols and guidelines for emergency events in future

Report: communicable diseases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: prevention and control 2010-2011

One-third of all morbidities and mortalities in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are attributed to communicable diseases. A continued situation of war and conflict, and growing political unrest in the Region, coupled with factors such as travel and migration, and insufficient infrastructure and inadequate technical and managerial capacity of the programmes are the major challenges. Despite these challenges, the Region continued making progress towards the elimination of specific diseases such as lymphatic filariasis, measles, malaria, schistosomiasis and dracunculiasis during 2010-11. Coverage for vaccine-preventable diseases was enhanced. Preparedness and response to emerging [e.g. dengue fever in Pakistan and Yemen] and re-emerging [e.g. cholera in Sudan] infections was improved. The Region has continued its efforts for controlling tuberculosis and curbing HIV/AIDS. Looking ahead, the Region aims to improve surveillance and response capacities, legislation issues, coordination, bio-risk and bio-security and quality management in the coming years

Promoting public-private mix for TB-DOTS: a multi-country study from the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region

This study was carried out to document the implementation status of public-private mix [PPM] in 6 member countries of the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region, with a particular focus on advocacy, communication and social mobilization [ACSM] specific to PPM. Interviews and focus group discussions were held with staff of national tuberculosis control programmes and partners. Four PPM models were being practised. For all models, ACSM specific to PPM was at the elementary stage. Participants perceived that promoting private partners was difficult, specific policy guidelines were deficient and human resources and capacity for both initiatives were lacking across the region. Building ACSM capacity is required along with the development of guidelines and the implementation of country-specific communication plans to carry out local-level advocacy, strategic communication and effective social mobilization to maximize the benefits of PPM