Training Course on International Health Regulations (IHR) and Global Health Security

Module 1: Introduction to International Health Regulations (IHR)
Foundations of IHR 2005
Purpose, scope, and legal framework of IHR.
Core principles: global cooperation, transparency, and rapid response.
Core Capacities for Compliance
Surveillance and detection systems.
Reporting, verification, and response obligations.
Roles and Responsibilities
Obligations of WHO member states.
Coordination between national, regional, and international bodies.
Activity: Case study discussion analyzing successes and challenges in previous IHR implementations, such as during Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks.

Module 2: Global Health Security and Preparedness
Understanding Global Health Threats
Pandemics, emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic threats, and bioterrorism.
Lessons from historical global health emergencies.
Risk Assessment and Preparedness Planning
Identifying vulnerabilities in health systems.
Developing national and regional emergency preparedness plans.
Role of Key Stakeholders
National public health institutes, ministries of health, WHO, NGOs, and international partners.
Workshop: Conduct a simulated risk assessment for an emerging infectious disease in a hypothetical country.

Module 3: Detection, Reporting, and Notification under IHR
Surveillance Systems and Early Warning
Event-based and indicator-based surveillance.
Integration of laboratory, clinical, and community reporting.
Notification Protocols
Reporting public health events to WHO.
Verification procedures and timelines for suspected public health emergencies.
Transparency and Compliance
Balancing national sovereignty with global responsibility.
Ethical considerations in public health reporting.
Simulation: Practice drafting and submitting a formal notification of a suspected public health emergency to WHO according to IHR procedures.

Module 4: Response and Coordination Mechanisms
National and International Coordination
Incident management systems and multi-sectoral coordination.
Roles of rapid response teams, emergency operations centers, and inter-agency collaboration.
Sectoral Collaboration
Veterinary, environmental, security, and transportation sectors in outbreak response.
Community engagement strategies during emergencies.
Case Studies
Lessons from multi-country outbreaks and cross-border health emergencies.
Exercise: Develop a coordinated response plan for a multi-country outbreak scenario, detailing roles, responsibilities, and communication channels.

Module 5: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Capacity Building
Assessing Core Capacities
Monitoring national compliance with IHR.
Using evaluation tools like Joint External Evaluations (JEE).
Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned
Post-event debriefs and after-action reviews.
Incorporating findings into policy and operational improvements.
Training and Simulation Exercises
Developing training programs and simulation drills to strengthen preparedness.
Sustainability and Future Planning
Building resilient health systems capable of addressing future threats.
Capstone Project: Create a comprehensive national or regional action plan to strengthen IHR compliance, improve detection and reporting, and enhance
global health security capacities