Background:
The Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR) is a voluntary, transparent, Member State-led peer review mechanism, that aims to establish a regular intergovernmental dialogue between Member States on their respective national capacities for health emergency preparedness. It is a game-changing platform to support collective actions at the national and global level that will make the world safer, based on the principles of equal treatment and mutual accountability.
UHPR has reached a significant juncture in its journey having completed the first-ever global peer review in February 2024. Since 2022, this pilot process has been initiated in 10 Members States representing five WHO regions, enabling intergovernmental dialogue and peer-to-peer learning for health emergency preparedness involving the highest level of leadership in the MS.
At this juncture, WHO provides a platform for Member States with UHPR experience to discuss the importance and added value of UHPR in the era of post-COVID-19 emergency preparedness.
Speakers
Opening remarks: Dr Samira Asma, Assistant Director General, Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact, WHO
Overview: Dr Stella Chungong, Director, Health Security and Preparedness (HSP), WHO
Moderator: Dr. Liliane Dalila Boualam, UHPR Secretariat, WHO
Speakers: A 3-member Member State expert panel discussion
Central African Republic (CAR) – Prof Marcel Mbeko Simaleko, Technical Advisor, Ministry of Health and Populations CAR
Portugal – Dr Paula Vasconcelos, Coordination Officer, Public Health Emergencies Operations Centre, Ministry of Health Portugal
Thailand – Dr Chawetsan Namwat, Co-director, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
The webinar was presented by Dr Supriya Bezbaruah EPI-WIN Lead in WHO