Latest news with #NationalActionPlanforHealthSecurity
Zawya
29-07-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Tanzania Secures US$25 Million from the Pandemic Fund to Strengthen Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness
The United Republic of Tanzania has been awarded a significant grant of US$25 million from the Pandemic Fund to enhance its national health security and pandemic preparedness capacities. In addition to this core funding, the initiative has successfully mobilized US$7 million in co-investment and US$6.7 million in co-financing, bringing together strong technical and financial partnerships. The project is being implemented through the collaborative efforts of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), which serve as the three designated Implementing Entities. Together, they will provide coordinated support across human, animal, and environmental health systems in alignment with the One Health approach. Tanzania, which comprises both Mainland and Zanzibar, continues to enjoy steady economic growth, driven in part by its abundant natural resources and vibrant tourism sector. However, this growth is accompanied by increased risks, particularly zoonotic and cross-border disease transmission due to high population movement and porous borders. Despite a strong commitment by the government to the International Health Regulations (IHR), the country still faces critical challenges in disease detection, specimen referral systems, laboratory capacity, biosafety, and early warning functions. In response, the new project aligns closely with Tanzania's National Action Plan for Health Security. It aims to reduce the impact of future epidemics and pandemics by addressing system-level gaps while ensuring that the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, are fully integrated into planning and implementation. The Ministry of Health is spearheading the project in close coordination with the President's Office Regional Administration and Local Government, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. Implementation will also involve a broad coalition of national and international partners. Each implementing entity contributes distinct technical strengths. FAO supports animal health planning and implementation, UNICEF leads on risk communication and community engagement, and WHO supports the strengthening of human health systems and emergency readiness. By 2027, Tanzania aims to have an integrated, functional disease surveillance and response system capable of effectively monitoring, confirming, and responding to epidemic and pandemic threats. With this investment, the country is not only reinforcing its ability to protect the health of its citizens but also contributing meaningfully to regional and global health security. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization - United Republic of Tanzania.
Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
$18.7m pandemic response launched
Pakistan has launched the implementation of a $18.7 million project under the pandemic fund to strengthen its pandemic preparedness and response systems. Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the initiative will establish "One Health Units" across the country through a coordinated approach linking human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Led by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination and supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the initiative emphasises the urgent need for integrated action across human, animal, and environmental health systems. The launch event, held in Islamabad, brought together over 70 stakeholders, including senior government officials from the ministries of health, food security, and climate change, as well as representatives from provincial authorities and development partners. "The pandemic fund presents a critical opportunity for countries like Pakistan to bolster their national health security. The integration of the One Health approach will enable us to build resilient systems that can detect and respond to complex health threats, including zoonotic spillovers and antimicrobial resistance," said Dr Shabana Saleem, Director General of Health. Pakistan's strategy aligns with the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and the International Health Regulations (IHR), prioritizing the One Health approach to address the fact that over 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals — risks further exacerbated by climate change and growing antimicrobial resistance. The One Health Units will strengthen coordinated disease surveillance, early warning systems, cross-sectoral data sharing, laboratory capacity, and workforce training. These units will be embedded within existing government systems and guided by clear mandates and governance frameworks. "The pandemic fund allows us to move from planning to action, from commitment to coordination," said Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan. "It provides a chance to operationalize long-standing goals for zoonotic disease control, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance management." Dr Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan, emphasized the urgency of the effort: "The Covid pandemic was a stark reminder that building stronger health systems is no longer optional. The WHO is committed to working alongside Pakistan and its partners to save lives when the next health threat emerges." In addition to the $18.7 million from the Pandemic Fund, the initiative has mobilized $4.1 million in co-financing and $49.7 million in co-investment, underscoring strong national and international commitment to building a safer, healthier future.
Business Recorder
24-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Minister reaffirms commitment to IHR framework
ISLAMABAD: State Minister for National Health Services and Regulations Dr Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Monday, stressing the need for provision of clean water for a healthier future generation has reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan's commitment to the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework. While inaugurating the first national health preparedness and resilience conference on diarrhoeal diseases organised by the National Institute of Health (NIH), he cited that recently the government along with other stakeholders concluded Joint External Evaluation (JEE 2023), which called for urgent strengthening of core health capacities under the National Action Plan for Health Security (2024–2028). The two-day conference brought together senior representatives from federal and provincial health departments, leading development partners including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), World Health Organization (WHO), DAI, and JHEPIGO, alongside national and international public health experts. The event aims to tackle the persistent burden of diarrhoeal diseases and to strengthen Pakistan's health security and resilience against infectious disease threats. Dr Bharath said that the diarrhoeal diseases continue to be a leading cause of illness and death among children under five in Pakistan, adding that these are largely preventable conditions, yet their prevalence reflects the enduring gaps in access to clean drinking water, sanitation, and equitable healthcare services. He outlined key government priorities in addressing this health burden, including strengthening nationwide disease surveillance systems in coordination with provinces and development partners, Expanding Rotavirus and oral cholera vaccine coverage under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Promoting WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices at the household level and enhancing collaboration across health, education, and water sectors to tackle underlying drivers of diarrhoeal disease. As Pakistan's IHR focal point, the NIH was commended for its pivotal role in expanding laboratory networks, integrating surveillance systems, and building frontline public health capacity. The minister also emphasised the need for increased domestic health financing and urged development partners to align their support with national strategic priorities. Touching on global health concerns including COVID-19, Mpox, and the emerging Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), Dr Bharath stressed the importance of real-time surveillance, effective border health controls, and proactive community engagement to pre-empt future health crises. 'This conference is more than just dialogue, it is a renewed call to action,' he concluded. 'Together, we must ensure that every child in Pakistan not only survives but thrives, with access to clean water, quality healthcare, and a healthier, more secure future.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
