Manila, Philippines | Driven by the goal to further develop and generate systems in advancing strong and resilient health security, the Philippines, through the Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), remarkably completed the second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) on the 29th of November 2024.
The JEE provides a structured framework to support countries in assessing, enhancing, and advancing national capacities under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). These include the ability to rapidly detect, verify, and respond to public health risks. Through the evaluation, countries identify critical health security needs, prioritize opportunities to improve preparedness, detection, and response, and allocate resources based on the findings.
The Philippines’ second JEE was led by health security experts Dr. Gina Samaan, WHO Regional Emergency Director for the Western Pacific, and Dr. Jeffery Cutter, an independent expert from Singapore. The evaluation was enriched by contributions from experts representing diverse countries and institutions, including Singapore, Jamaica, New Zealand, Tonga, China, and Japan, working alongside Philippine national experts. This collaborative approach brought varied perspectives and technical expertise to the process.
A team of observers from international and national organizations also participated in the evaluation. These included representatives from the Ministries of Health of Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United States - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, International Organization for Migration (IOM), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health (Philippines). Their involvement underscored the importance of multi-sectoral and international cooperation in assessing health security capacities.
Benchmarking progress towards health security in the Philippines
The Philippines is one of 21 countries in the Western Pacific that have conducted a JEE since the process was introduced in 2016. Notably, it is one of only three countries in the region to have completed a second JEE, demonstrating its dedication to advancing health security preparedness and response capacities.
Results from the first JEE in 2018 guided the country in implementing targeted improvements. Over the past five years, significant milestones have been made, including the proactive revision of plans, assessments of priority health risks, and enhancements in disaster response mechanisms.
For instance, the Philippines became the first country in the region to conduct a comprehensive review of its COVID-19 response and share key learnings with others. Building on these insights, the country has conducted simulation exercises, including airport-based drills, to test its capacities to manage and mitigate public health threats effectively.
Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus, WHO Representative to the Philippines, praised the country’s proactive approach: "This integration ensures effective implementation of health security measures at all levels of governance, including the barangay level, which forms the foundation of community health systems. Together with stakeholders and partners, WHO will work to ensure that results from this JEE contribute to refining the country’s whole-of-society efforts for better health emergency preparedness and strengthening existing response systems."
Recommendations provided during the evaluation will further guide efforts to address gaps and sustain progress in the nation’s commitment to preparedness and response.
Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, Secretary of Health, emphasized the importance of this achievement: "The results of the second Joint External Evaluation highlight the Philippines’ dedication to safeguarding public health. This collaborative effort reflects our resilience and readiness to respond to global health threats. We will build on these achievements by strengthening partnerships, enhancing our capacities, and ensuring a healthier, safer future for every Filipino – dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga" [because in the new Philippines, every life is precious].
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Cling Malaco
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Email: cmalaco@who.int