Strengthening Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Emerging Health Threats in the OECS Region

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The project focuses on the following main priority areas:1. Strengthened multi-sectoral surveillance systems & response for zoonosis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) & other emerging health threats: Enhancing coordination, collaboration & communication between animal & human health sectors will lay the groundwork for implementation of a One Health Approach. The different sectors will work together to generate joint preparedness & response plans, complemented by smaller multi-sectoral technical working groups that will develop & record technical protocols to lead their work during health emergencies. Additionally, modern & advanced tools will be provided & implemented to support national efforts to generate and analyze reliable & comparable data & in turn, strengthen regular surveillance activities, disease control & rapid response during outbreaks. Finally, regional surveillance networks will be strengthened to support national efforts on a regional scale. Furthermore, efforts will be directed towards identification of alerts & enhancing rapid response capacity, ensuring swift actions in the event of emergencies.2. Strengthened regional diagnostic capacity: The project will focus on strengthening human & animal laboratories through the provision of critical consumables, materials & machines for specific diagnostic tests, as well as generating essential maintenance plans. 3. Improved HR capacity: HR capacity will be strengthened, with a focus on digital health.