Intersectoral Collaboration

Transcription

1 Intersectoral Collaboration Cyprus, July 2009 Presented by: Dr. George Khoury FAO Regional Coordinator Regional Animal Health Center for the Middle East

2 What is Intersectoral Collaboration Intersectoral Collaboration (IC) is an initiated partnership between all sectors related to public and animal health. Sectors involved in the prevention and control of HPAI are in general: Veterinary Services Public Health Municipalities Internal Security Private Sector Educational Institutions Media and others.

3 Why an Intersectoral Collaboration HPAI is a communal problem. There are benefits for each partner; these benefits could not be realized without the collaboration. Synergy achieved through collaboration can create a tremendous power to control HPAI. Engaging different sectors will give the process more seriousness.

4 Actual Situation in the Middle East Before the year 2006 Different from country and another. Unclear situation. Absence of the concept in general. Poor communication and reporting. Poor legislation coverage. Absence of chain of command. Absence of organizational body.

5 Actual Situation in the Middle East (Cont.) After the year 2006 Still differs from country to another. IC demonstrated itself as need. Most of the countries established a state body at national level for coordination. Better collaboration between different sectors has been achieved. Joint committees have been established. Some sectors (police municipalities NGOs) participated for the first time in the national efforts to combat the disease. Simulation exercises conducted with participation of different sectors. In some countries chain of command became defined.

6 International agencies efforts Considerable efforts have been made by International organizations in the region, through funding and implementing projects, conferences, trainings and preparing national preparedness and contingency plans. FAO has implemented projects and provided technical assistance relating to HPAI in Egypt Syria Jordan- Lebanon Yemen - Saudi Arabia - Emirates and other countries. OIE provided Technical assistance through conferences and workshops. Interagencies scientific and information centers (EMPRES- OFFLU-CMC-ECTAD ) provided a valuable technical and scientific assistance.

7 Learnt lessons The intervention areas are not well defined for different sectors. Not all sectors are prepared to work within a team composed of different actors. Everybody is interested to take part of the process but the good organization is still missing. To achieve a good implementation of the process all activities should be referenced to unified leadership. Preparedness plans have been prepared by one sector and others were asked to implement it. In some cases different sectors adopted different plans. Media played a negative role in the region.

8 Gaps During outbreaks or simulation exercises, it was evident that IC needs more organization. There were poor communication, information exchange, reporting. Roles of different sectors were not well defined. Resources were not always adequate. Preparing preparedness plans without sharing other sectors left them unable to fulfill their obligations.

9 Recommendations Although improved collaboration has been achieved, more work has to be done to insure effective Intersectoral Collaboration in place to prevent and control HPAI. That can be realized through: Strengthen and improve communication mechanisms. Expound partnerships with private sector. Statutory frame should be developed for better governing of the whole process. More simulation exercises should be executed to bring different sectors together, for better harmonization. Sectors expected to implement the national emergency plans should participate in the planning of these plans. Adequate resources should be allocated and reserved.

10 Thank you for your attention