Role of the IHR in the Ebola Outbreak and Response
The WHO Director-General convened a Review Committee on Role of the IHR in the Ebola Outbreak and Response to assess:
- the effectiveness of the Regulations regarding the prevention, preparedness and response to the Ebola outbreak; and
- the status of implementation of recommendations from the previous Review Committee in 2011 and related impact on the current Ebola outbreak.
The Committee was further charged with recommending steps to improve the functioning, transparency, effectiveness and efficiency of the IHR and to strengthen preparedness and response for future emergencies. Through Decision WHA69(14), the World Health Assembly commended the successful conclusion of the work of the Committee and requested the Director-General to develop, through WHO Regional Committees a draft global implementation plan for the 12 recommendations of the Review Committee. A draft Global Five-Year Strategic Plan to Improve Public Health Preparedness was transmitted to the 70th Health Assembly. In decision WHA70(11), the Assembly requested the Director-General, inter alia, to develop, in full consultation with Member States, including through the Regional Committees, a draft five-year global strategic plan to improve public health preparedness and response. A draft plan was transmitted to the 71st World Health Assembly which in decision WHA71(15) welcomed with appreciation the said plan.
- Resolution WHA68.5 (The recommendations of the Review Committee on Second Extensions for Establishing National Public Health Capacities and on IHR Implementation)
- Report of the Review Committee on the Role of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the Ebola Outbreak and Response