Harare (New Ziana) – A workshop to accelerate implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR-2005) which are designed to reduce the risk of diseases spreading at airports, seaports and ground crossings opened in Kadoma on Wednesday.

The IHR (2005) are an international law which assists countries to work together to save lives and livelihoods caused by the international spread of diseases and other health risks.

They entered into force on 15 June 2007 and are binding on 194 countries across the globe.

In a message on its twitter handle, the World Health Organisation said; “Happening now is the Zimbabwe International Health Regulations (IHR-2005) State Party Annual Report Writing Consultative Workshop in Kadoma. The workshop led by @MoHCCZim w/support from @WHO Zimbabwe aims to provide a platform for reporting & review implementation of IHR (2005).”

“The IHR (2005) aims to prevent, protect, control & respond to the international spread of diseases while avoiding unnecessary interference with international traffic & trade.”

The IHR (2005) establish a set of rules to support the global outbreak alert and response system and to require countries to improve international surveillance and reporting mechanisms for public health events as well as to strengthen their national surveillance and response capacities.

Responsibility for implementing the IHR (2005) rests on all States that are bound by the Regulations, and the WHO.

The IHR also require States to strengthen core surveillance and response capacities at the primary, intermediate and national level, as well as at designated international ports, airports and ground crossings.

They further introduce a series of health documents, including ship sanitation certificates and an international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis for travellers.

New Ziana