Public Health boss calls for policy guidelines to implement IHR

Dr Joseph Amankwah, Director, Public Health of Ghana Health Service (GHS), has stated the need for policy guidelines for the implementation of the International Health Regulation (IHR) 2005.

According to him, there is no policy that clearly defines implementation structure, roles and responsibilities of various administration levels and stakeholders for the execution of the Regulation.

Dr Amankwah was speaking during the orientation of members of IHR Committee in Accra.

The Programme is to provide a point of reference for members in areas such as health risk assessment, reporting systems with IHR Focal Point, outbreak and risk communication and the use of the decision-making instrument.

Dr Amankwah said Ghana is expected to ensure that core capacities within the Regulation are implemented by June 2014, adding that it would be difficult for any country to apply for an extension after the deadline.

He advocated the establishment of a dedicated fund to help speed up activities leading to the realisation of the Regulation.

The IHR 2005 was adopted by the 48th World Health Assembly on 23 May 2005 to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of diseases in ways that are appropriate with and restricted to public health risks.