Representatives from Ministries of Health of Member States Representatives from global EOC-NET;
Distinguished participants from ASEAN; Partners, colleagues and friends
A good morning to you all.
As we gather here, I think it is important to acknowledge the remarkable progress made by our South-East Asia Region Member States in strengthening systems for health security, and continuity of essential health services during emergencies. The recent COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical importance of a coordinated multi-sectorial response driven by timely and actionable data. Health Emergency Operations Centers (HEOCs) emerged as pivotal hubs throughout this crisis, consolidating intelligence to inform response strategies and provide command and coordination.
Following the establishment of national HEOCs, many Member States have successfully extended their frameworks to include sub-national HEOCs. Regional workshops in 2015 and 2017 bolstered national efforts and advocated for HEOC implementation. In collaboration with partners, our WHO South-East Asia Regional Office developed a comprehensive HEOC capacity-building programme that was successfully piloted in the Maldives from 2022 to 2023. This year, we plan to further rollout this capacity-building programme in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
A cornerstone in enhancing HEOC effectiveness is the urgent need for standardized, robust capacity-building initiatives. This Regional HEOC Workshop is strategically designed to meet this need. It aims to strengthen countries' abilities to coordinate preparedness and response efforts for public health emergencies. By empowering regional trainers with expertise in HEOC operations and management, this workshop aims to establish a sustainable framework for cascading training across national and sub- national HEOCs.
Aligned with WHO's vision for global health emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience (HEPR), this workshop seeks to elevate the preparedness and response capacities of health emergency teams in our Region. By emphasizing adherence to common standards, interoperable capabilities, and a well-coordinated health emergency workforce, we aim to foster a resilient regional health system.
I am pleased to welcome each of you to this Regional Workshop, and extend my gratitude for your presence. I am particularly pleased to see senior focal points and managers of national Health Emergency Operations Centers, alongside participants from other esteemed agencies gathered here today.
I wish you a successful workshop, and I also hope you will take some time out to enjoy this beautiful city of Delhi.
Thank you.