Workshop on strengthening International Health Regulation (IHR) activities and implementation of Port Health Regulation at Port of Entries (PoEs)
A five-day workshop titled, “Workshop on strengthening International Health Regulation (IHR) activities and implementation of Port Health Regulation at Port of Entries (PoEs)” was held in Malé, Maldives between February 19- 23, 2023. Over 30 participants from the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste representing a multitude of departments and agencies took part in this workshop.
The objectives of this workshop included:
1. To introduce participants to the International Health Regulation (2005) core capacities and its requirements to the existing air transport and maritime protocols relevant to public health.
2. To sensitize the participants on the implementation of the port health regulation with a focus on specific roles and responsibilities of relevant agencies or stakeholders.
3. To ensure the participants are well-versed to their role and responsibilities in efforts of early detection, prevention and response within the capacities required by the respective organizations working at the points of entry (airports and seaports).
4. To provide exposure to best-practices in conducting sanitation and vector control inspections as per IHR standards.
5. To give orientation on reporting mechanisms at PoEs for a public health event (forms/ reporting pathways, SOPs)
6. To identify specific barriers and gaps in conducting routine functions such public health surveillance, reporting, and inspections of ports areas and vessels in order to provide practical recommendations for future improvement.
7. To introduce Port Health and Public Health Officers to modern data handling methods for efficient disease surveillance and timely-reporting at PoE.
8. Conduct exercises or tabletop exercises at POEs to assess readiness
The workshop was interactive and allowed for representatives to present on the implementation of IHR core capacities, successes and challenges in their country context. Group
activities, exercises and discussions were supplemented by formal presentations and learning activities to ensure a common understanding of the learning objectives. All participants took part in a half day tabletop exercise where they walked through preparedness and response activities in relation to an incoming vessel with elevated levels of gastrointestinal illness among its passengers and crew.
In addition to classroom activities participants travelled to both the Velana International Airport and the Malé Commercial Harbour where representatives of both PoEs delivered presentations and provided an onsite orientation to the public health capacities at their PoEs. In addition, while at the harbour the participants had the opportunity to board an international cargo vessel and shadowed WHO subject matter experts during a Ship Sanitation Inspection which was conducted in accordance with the provisions of the IHR and the WHO Handbook for Ship Inspection and the Issuance of Ship Sanitation Certificates.
The workshop was supplemented by pre- and post-tests and the feedback from the trainees was very positive as they appreciated the trainers teaching style and level of knowledge. The trainees felt that their programs were in a much better position to implement the provisions of the IHR as a result of this workshop.