WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION COMPLETES JOINT EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF SINGAPORE’S CAPACITY TO MANAGE PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS AND EMERGENCIES

JEE a useful learning experience for Singapore

to further improve our ability to respond to public health threats

           The World Health Organization (WHO) has completed its assessment of Singapore’s capacity in detecting and responding to potential public health emergencies, following a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) conducted from 16 to 20 April 2018.

2          The JEE is a voluntary process in which a team of external experts appointed by the WHO, together with internal country experts, jointly assess a country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and rapidly respond to major public health threats. Singapore’s participation in the JEE provides an objective evaluation of our national capacity. Feedback from the international team of experts will enable Singapore to strengthen our capabilities to manage public health emergencies.

3          Global and regional epidemics continue to pose immense challenges to Singapore and the world. Given today’s global travel patterns, public health threats transcend borders, and there is a need for all countries to remain vigilant. In the last two decades, Singapore has experienced Nipah virus in 1999, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, H1N1 Influenza pandemic in 2009, and more recently, Zika in 2016. Singapore will continually strengthen our capabilities to prevent, detect and respond promptly and effectively to public health threats and emergencies.

Well-established system for managing health threats

4          The WHO evaluation team assessed that Singapore has demonstrated good capacity and notable progress in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) The IHR (2005) is an international framework that is legally binding on all 196 WHO member states. The IHR requires countries to report certain disease outbreaks and health events, and articulates specific measures that countries can take to limit the spread of diseases and uphold global public health security.. It noted Singapore’s commitment to health security and its whole-of-government mechanism for emergency preparedness and response, facilitated by a culture of communication and collaboration within and between response agencies.

5          The evaluation team observed that Singapore continually reviews its policies and practice through multi-sectoral exercises. Specifically, the WHO evaluation team noted that Singapore’s One Health Framework is an effective mechanism for integrating the surveillance and response to threats posed by zoonotic infections, antimicrobial resistance and food-borne illness.

6          The WHO evaluation team also noted that Singapore has made efforts to leverage technology to strengthen disease detection, reporting and response. There is also proactive reporting by the IHR National Focal Point. Singaporeans continue to have good access to clinical care, diagnostic testing and select key immunisation services.

7          Singapore was awarded good scores (4 to 5 out of the maximum 5 points) for all indicators in 18 out of 19 areas. In the area of management of radiation emergencies, Singapore was given a score of 3 out of 5, with the WHO evaluation team noting that Singapore is further strengthening its national capabilities in this area.

Partnerships key to prevent and mitigate public health threats

8          The WHO evaluation team has recommended that Singapore consider further working with other countries, as well as regional and global systems, to enhance global health security. As a regional trade and travel hub, international and regional partnerships are important to Singapore for preventing and mitigating global health threats. We will collaborate with WHO and our regional counterparts, and are open to offering support and expertise in our areas of strength.

9          Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong said, “We cannot be complacent. We must continue to strengthen our core capabilities to prevent, detect and respond promptly and effectively to public health threats. The Joint External Evaluation team’s review has been a useful learning experience for Singapore through the exchange of information and best practices.”

10        The Government will carefully review the findings and recommendations made by WHO to further strengthen our capabilities in dealing with existing and future challenges from public health threats.

11         The full report can be found on the WHO website at http://www.who.int/ihr/publications/WHO-WHE-CPI-REP-2018.25/en/.