The second meeting of the South-East Asia Regional Emergency Medical Team Working Group was virtually conducted on 08 June 2022. A total of 40 representatives from nine Member States participated to review and discuss progress of the EMT initiative in South-East Asia Region over the past three years. The Co-Chairs, Thailand and Indonesia moderated the meeting with countries presenting the progress as well as plans to further EMT activities in the countries. Emphasis was laid on the regional collaboration on implementation of the Regional Committee Resolution (SEA/RC71/R5) and the participants were encouraged to use this opportunity to shape the regional agenda for strengthening national EMTs. Key topics covered were strengthening national health emergency workforce in the South-East Asia region, EMT mentorship and classification process with examples from Member States. During the meeting India and Thailand were appointed as Co-Chairs for the next two years to oversee the progress of the EMT initiative and represent the Region in the Global Strategic Advisory Group meetings.
To further the agenda in the Region, Member States agreed to guide, facilitate and oversee the development of a regional guidance document on strengthening national health emergency workforce in the Region.
As the Secretariat to the Working Group, WHO will continue to support mentorship and verification for EMTs in the process, support development and capacity building of national EMTs and provide global guidance on development of national EMT in the context of strengthening national health emergency workforce in the South-East Asia Region.