Medical countermeasures and personnel deployment
The ability to enable a rapid and appropriate medical response during an emergency requires countries to have the necessary legal and regulatory processes and logistic plans in place that enable the national or cross-border deployment of public health and medical personnel. Furthermore, the development and dissemination of case management guidance for priority health hazards is critical to providing an effective and appropriate response.
States Parties will:
- a. develop a system for activating and coordinating medical countermeasures during a public health emergency, including mechanisms for sending and receiving medical countermeasures and deployed health personnel;
- b. establish, maintain or strengthen the guaranteed availability of essential supplies and pharmaceuticals on the basis of national risk profiles; and
- c. establish, maintain or strengthen a procurement and supply chain management system.
The Regional Office, in collaboration with key partners, will:
- a. ensure the provision of essential life-saving health services and public health interventions during health emergencies, including supplies and expertise, as needed, to the affected populations;
- b. provide specific protocols for the clinical management of identified high-threat pathogens and other hazards;
- c. support States Parties in engaging with regional and global intergovernmental organizations that provide assistance during health emergencies, including emergency medical teams, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, and standby partners;
- d. provide support for the coordination of the health sector and activation of the health cluster, according to WHO standard operating procedures and guidelines;
- e. provide assistance to national institutions and networks in the European Region in joining the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network; and
- f. support States Parties, upon request, in strengthening national capacities and mechanisms to coordinate the timely and effective response of emergency medical teams.
