Regional Verification commission

Background

In September 2013, the 66th session of the Regional Committee for South-East Asia (SEA/RC66/R5), adopted the goal of measles elimination and rubella/CRS control in the South-East Asia Region by 2020. The Strategic Plan for Measles Elimination and Rubella/CRS Control in the South-East Asia Region 2014-2020, provided a framework for the Member States towards achieving the measles elimination and rubella/CRS control goal by 2020 which requires the formation of a regional commission to monitor progress towards and verify elimination of measles and rubella. The Region of the Americas (AMR), the European Region (EUR) and the Western Pacific Region (WPR) already have such regional commissions that have been instrumental in monitoring the progress made in measles elimination in those regions. These commissions till date have already verified 22 (41%) countries in Europe, 34 (97%) countries in the Americas and 6 (22%) countries in the West Pacific.
Based on the basic principles as outlined in the WHO Weekly Epidemiologic Record on 01 March 2013, Framework for verifying elimination of measles and rubella; the Regional Director on 4th March 2016 has establish an independent Regional Verification Commission for Measles Elimination and Rubella/CRS Control for South-East Asia Region (SEA-RVC).

Principles and Processes of SEA-RVC

  1. Function as Independent commission
  2. Involve two levels of external and independent expert bodies involved in verification process-Regional and national
  3. Verify individually for countries and eventually for the Region
  4. Apply standard procedures and criteria
  5. For larger countries verify by 2nd level administrative unit, when appropriate
  6. Seize the opportunity to document the impact the initiative has on strengthening health system

Functions 

  1. Normative function
    The Commission will review and establish criteria and procedures, including a plan of action, for monitoring progress and verifying the achievement of measles and rubella elimination nationally and for the Region. 
  2. Verification function
    •     It will verify achievement and maintenance with respect to measles and rubella elimination by individual countries and the Region.• It will monitor progress towards measles and rubella elimination.
    • It will play a post-verification role in individual countries and the Region to sustain the achievement and prevent re-establishment of endemic measles or rubella virus transmission by implementing the recommended strategies. 
  3. Advisory function 
    • The Commission will advise the NVCs on verification criteria, requirements and procedures, including guidance on collecting and analysing the data needed for verification, and proper documentation.
    • It will review and analyse the annual reports submitted by the NVCs and provide feedback.
    • It will conduct field visits, when necessary, to monitor progress, verify evidence, and provide guidance to the NVCs and governments.
  4. Leadership and management functions of SEA-RVC Chair
    • Prepare a plan of action and preside over meetings to be held at least once a year.
    • Define internal operating procedures and responsibilities of the SEA-RVC members.
    • Supervise the documentation and verification process.
    • Prepare and submit annual meeting/verification reports to the Regional Director, who will then share them with the Member States through appropriate channels.
  5. Advocacy function 
    The SEA-RVC members will help raise awareness of and increase commitment to measles and rubella elimination, targeting high-ranking health officials, health professionals, partners and political leaders through multiple channels, such as national health conferences, professional societies, scientific seminars, the media and personal contacts.

Terms of reference 

  1. Serve in an honorary capacity to verify the status of measles and rubella elimination in countries and the Region as a whole.
  2. Establish criteria and procedures required for the verification of measles and rubella elimination in countries and the Region.
  3. Advise NVCs, ministries of health, NIPs and VPD surveillance units on the requirements for the verification of measles and rubella elimination.
  4. Analyse the information compiled and provided by the NVCs of Member States, measure progress towards measles and rubella elimination against the set framework for verification and provide recommendations when indicated.
  5. Make recommendations on complementary evidence when standard verification data are not sufficient or consistent. 
  6. Assess and verify, on the request of the NVC, if the country is ready for verification.
  7. Advise on various issues related to measles and rubella elimination.
  8. Advocate for measles and rubella elimination at the country and Regional levels.
  9. Meet at least once a year.
  10. Conduct field visits when indicated.

Membership: general principles

  • Members will serve as expert advisers to the Regional Director and will:
  • be honorary;
  • be independent, that is, NOT directly involved with the management and operations of the NIP or measles-rubella laboratory, but will have an opportunity to monitor and make recommendations when appropriate;
  • have expertise in epidemiology, paediatrics, public health practice, virology or molecular biology;
  • be committed to carrying out their responsibilities independently, following the highest professional standards. 
  • make a declaration of “no conflict of interest”.

Proposed members 

The SEA-RVC will comprise 12 regular members. The Chair will be nominated from among the members at the first meeting and after the end of the tenure of the Chair.

Membership will be of three years’ duration, with the possibility of an extension at the discretion of the Regional Director. The composition of the regular members will be as follows:

  • international expert in epidemiology (3)
  • international expert in public health (3)
  • international expert in virology (2)
  • international expert in clinical medicine /paediatrics (2)
  • international expert in social sciences (1)
  • representative of the RVC of the Western Pacific Region (1).
Chairs of the NVCs or other equivalent committees in the Member States will be invited to attend the meetings as observers/invitees as and when decided by the Chair.

Termination of membership

  • Membership ends automatically at the end of the tenure, unless renewed by the Regional Director. A member may resign voluntarily before the end of the tenure. Membership may also be terminated by the Regional Director:
  • when a member is identified to be physically and mentally unable to perform as per the TOR;
  • when a documented conflict of interest is demonstrated;
  • if the member is under a legal trial or accused of a serious offence;
  • in other unforeseen conditions, at the discretion of the Regional Director. 

Support from secretariat

The Immunization and Vaccine Development (IVD) unit of the Regional Office will serve as the secretariat for the Commission.

Current members of SEA-RVC until December 2022

Name Country Designation
Prof Dr Shahina Tabassum Bangladesh Chair
Dr Kinzang Tshering Bhutan Member
Prof. Dr AP Dubey India Member
DR. Hinky Hindra Irawan Satari, Indonesia Member
Prof Soe Lwin Nyein Myanmar Member
Dr Rupa Singh Nepal Member
Dr Sujeewa Amarasena Sri Lanka Member
Dr Kumnuan Ungchusak Thailand Member
Jon Anderson US Member
Joe Icenogle US Member
Vacant WPRO representative Member
Vacant Epidemiologist Member

Framework for verification of measles and rubella elimination.

https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/332737