Synergies between emergency preparedness and response, health system strengthening and essential public health functions

In order to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies, synergies at the intersections between IHR implementation and the strengthening of health system and public health functions require identification and strengthening. Full implementation of the IHR (2005) will serve to further strengthen health systems and essential public health functions. Integration of work in these areas will serve as a basis for making progress towards universal health coverage across the Region.

States Parties will:

• a. review ongoing activities for strengthening health systems and essential public health func­tions and in relation to IHR implementation, in order to identify and use synergies at their intersection; and
• b. address identified lack of synergy and weaknesses in health systems and essential public functions for emergency preparedness and response in the national action plan for health emergency preparedness.

The Regional Office, in collaboration with key partners, will:

• a. guide States Parties in identifying synergies at the intersection between health system capac­ities and health emergency preparedness and the IHR (2005);
• b. support States Parties, upon request, in developing national action plans for emergency preparedness that integrate activities relating to health system strengthening for emergency preparedness and response;
• c. support States Parties in implementing national action plans for health emergency prepared­ness; and
• d. conduct assessments, upon request, of the ability of State Parties to perform the essential public health functions relevant to the IHR (2005) and emergency response, including the Health System Capacity for Crisis Management and Hospital Safety Index.