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1
Online course: Radiation Emergencies
Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI)
(2015)
C1
There are three sections in this e-learning module on radiation emergencies: Section One is an introduction about the basics of radiation. For instance, the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation and the different ways to measure rad
...
iation. Section Two is about the health effects of acute exposure to radiation. For instance, the mechanisms by which ionizing radiation damages our cells and the clinical manifestations of acute exposure are introduced. Section Three discusses the measures in response to a radiation emergency. For instance, the principles of emergency department preparedness, the use of personal protective equipment and the procedures to decontamination are presented. Although this module is primarily for first responders to prepare for radiation emergencies, it is also suitable for the general public who are interested in knowing more about this topic. Healthcare professionals may also find this module useful in case they want to refresh their knowledge on radiation.
more
Risk communications
recommended
For public health emergencies, risk communication includes the range of communication capacities required through the preparedness, response and re
...
covery phases of a serious public health event to encourage informed decision making, positive behaviour change and the maintenance of trust.
Risk communication used to be viewed primarily as the dissemination of information to the public about health risks and events, such as outbreaks of disease and instructions on how to change behaviour to mitigate those risks. Thinking on this has now evolved dramatically as social science evidence and new communication and media technologies and practices have evolved in the 21st century.
more
Planning for public health emergencies should ensure that capabilities developed during previous emerge
...
ncies are maintained, incorporated, and put into practice when a new event of public health concern arises. Investments in pandemic preparedness lead to more rapid detection and a stronger response to public health threats, thereby shielding communities from the debilitating social and economic effects of epidemics and pandemics. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recognizes the efforts of countries in the Region of the Americas to develop and/or strengthen their respiratory pathogen pandemic plans. PAHO supports planning activities with tools and expertise, aligning these efforts with the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative. The PRET initiative is an innovative approach to improving disease pandemic preparedness. It recognizes that the same systems, capacities, knowledge, and tools can be leveraged and applied for groups of pathogens based on their mode of transmission (respiratory, vector-borne, foodborne etc.). The PRET initiative incorporates the latest tools and approaches for shared learning and collective action established during the COVID-19 pandemic and other recent public health emergencies.
more
The ERF provides WHO staff with essential guidance on how the Organization manages the assessment, grading and response to public health events and emerge
...
ncies with health consequences, in support of Member States and affected communities. The ERF adopts an all-hazards approach and it is therefore applicable in all acute public health events and emergencies.
This version (2024) of the WHO ERF has been developed following extensive consultation across the three levels of the Organization and response experiences over the last five years of emergency response. Key areas have been updated to improve the accountability, predictability, timeliness and effectiveness of WHO’s response to emergencies.
more
Assessment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) service disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary results.
Guidance on how to provide continuity for NCD programmes:• How to include NCDs in public
...
health emergencies protocols?• How to develop national NCDs tool kits for use in emergencies?• How to provide ambulatory essential NCD services during lockdown?• How to provide medical care for NCDs through telemedicine and digital solutions?
more
The risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) competency framework is a resource that details the essential behaviours and activities necessary for effective communication and engagement with communities before, during and after public
...
health emergencies. The purpose of this framework is to establish and promote a common understanding of behavioural competencies and how they should be applied for high-performing and community-centred health emergency programmes. It is intended to support the development of standardized training programmes, professional development and talent acquisition and to enhance the capabilities of public health professionals involved in RCCE. Its goal is to inform the establishment of a skilled, well-trained RCCE workforce that consistently understands and executes the necessary behaviours and activities required to conduct RCCE activities with competence and professionalism.
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The webpage “Emergency Response Framework” on the OpenWHO platform provides learning materials that introduce the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Response Framework (ERF). The framework explains how WHO organizes and manages respon
...
ses to public health emergencies, including how events are assessed, graded and coordinated at global, regional and country levels. The training content presents key concepts such as emergency management principles, the Incident Management System, coordination structures, and the roles and responsibilities of WHO staff and partners during health crises. Overall, the webpage aims to help health professionals and responders understand how WHO coordinates emergency operations and ensures a structured, timely and effective response to outbreaks and other health emergencies.
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The Outbreak Toolkit is specifically designed for epidemiologists and field investigators operating at the frontline of complex emergencies and in resource-limited settings. It provides a comprehensive, up-to-date toolkit for investigating both infe
...
ctious disease outbreaks and non-infectious events and hazards. By offering standardized tools, the Toolkit addresses the critical need for data consistency and facilitates effective data sharing across teams, locations, and timeframes. It serves as an essential asset for public health professionals confronting the unique challenges of outbreak response in demanding environments.
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OpenWHO is WHO’s new, interactive, web-based platform that offers online courses to people preparing to work in epidemics, pandemics and health emergencies or already doing so.
The OpenWHO plat
...
form delivers WHO’s and partners’ expertise closer to where it is needed and provides information in user-friendly formats for frontline responders and decision-makers. The platform is managed by WHO’s Department for Infectious Hazards Management, in Geneva, Switzerland.
Users take part in a worldwide, social learning network that is based on interactive, online courses and materials covering a variety of subjects. OpenWHO also serves as a forum for the fast sharing of public health expertise and in-depth discussion and feedback on key issues.
Accessed 6 March 2019.
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OpenWHO is an interactive, web-based, knowledge-transfer platform offering free online courses to improve the response to health emergencies. COVID-19 resources are available in the official W
...
HO languages and in additional national languages .The OpenWHO team is continuing to work with WHO Country Offices, public health institutes and educational entities who haveoffered voluntary translation support to help localize the response efforts. Resources in the pipeline include courses in Hindi and Macedonian.
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3rd edition. In 2001, Uganda adapted the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) developed by World Health Organization (WHO) for member states in African region. The Ministry of Health
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has been implementing the IDSR strategy since then with success across the country. This strategy provides the opportunity for rational use of resources and maximises investments in health surveillance systems. The 3rd edition IDSR guidelines incorporates lessons learnt from previous
epidemics, new frameworks like the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), One Health, Disaster Risk Management (DRM), the WHO regional strategy for health security and emergencies, and the rising non-communicable diseases, and aims to strengthen implementation of IHR (2005) core surveillance and response capacities. These guidelines have been adapted to reflect national priorities, policies and public health structures; and shall be used in conjunction with other similar
guidelines/strategies or initiatives.
Overall, the 3rd edition technical guidelines will incorporate the following:
• Strengthening Indicator Based Surveillance
• Strengthening Event Based Surveillance
• Improving community-based disease surveillance
• Improving Cross Border Surveillance and response
• Scaling up e-IDSR implementation
• Improving reporting and information sharing platforms
• Improved data sharing across sectors
• Tailoring IDSR to Emergency or Disaster contexts
The 3rd edition guidelines are intended for use as:
• A general reference for surveillance activities across all levels
• A set of definitions for thresholds that trigger some action for response
• A stand-alone reference for level-specific guidelines on surveillance and response
• A resource for developing training, supervision and evaluation of surveillance activities
• A guide for improving early detection and preparedness for outbreak response.
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Emergency medical teams (EMT) are first response health care providers – doctors, nurses, paramedics, and others – during outbreaks and emergencies or disasters, working with governments, charit
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ies such as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), armies, and international organizations such as the International Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. They comply with the classification and minimum standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners and bring to an emergency their training and self-sufficiency so as not to burden the national health system. EMT initiatives strengthen national surge capacities and facilitate the deployment of internationally classified teams of health- care professionals to countries and territories during emergencies, particularly during disease outbreaks and natural disasters, providing immediate assistance when national health systems are overwhelmed . Considering that they aim to support the provision of quality clinical care services to populations affected by public health emergencies, the expectation is that financial resources and equipment will be available to enable the performance of the requested task.
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The development of the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) was based on a consultative and participatory process with strong commitment and support from the Ministry of Health of Ghana. The CCS draws on lessons from the implementation of the first, a
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nd second generation CCSs, the country focus strategy, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023–2025).
The strategic agenda of the CCS outlines three strategic priorities, which are:
1. improving universal access to essential health services through the primary health care approach.
2. health emergency preparedness and response: addressing gaps in IHR core capacities and strengthening national capacities to prevent, detect and respond appropriately to public health emergencies through a resilient health system.
3. addressing social, economic, and environmental determinants of health; promoting high-impact interventions to address public health risks using multisectoral approaches.
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The attainment of global health security goals and universal health coverage will remain a mirage unless African health systems are adequately fund
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ed to improve resilience to public health emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the global inequity in accessing medical countermeasures, leaving African countries far behind. As we anticipate the next pandemic, improving investments in health systems to adequately finance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPPR) promptly, ensuring equity and access to medical countermeasures,
is crucial. In this article, we analyze the African and global pandemic financing initiatives and put ways forward for policymakers and the global health community to consider.
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Early warning systems for disease outbreaks are surveillance systems that collect information on a selected list of epidemic-prone diseases in order to trigger prompt public health interventions. Th
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ey function in humanitarian emergency situations when the routine public health surveillance systems of a country are underperforming, disrupted or non-existent. Early warning systems are often set up to fill such temporary gaps, while the routine systems recover from the effects of the disaster or a crisis. During humanitarian emergencies, detecting and responding swiftly to epidemics is key in order to reduce unecessary illness and death, especially among refugees and displaced people.
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The document “Hospital Preparedness for Epidemics” published by the World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidance on how hospitals and healthcare facilities can prepare for and respond effectively to infectious disease outbreaks. It outlines
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key components of epidemic preparedness, including planning and management structures, infection prevention and control, communication systems, human resource management, logistics, laboratory capacity, and the continuity of essential health services. The guide emphasizes the importance of coordination within hospitals and with public health authorities, as well as training staff and ensuring adequate supplies and infrastructure. Overall, the document serves as a practical framework to help hospitals strengthen their readiness, maintain critical healthcare services, and respond efficiently during epidemics or other health emergencies.
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Notable progress has also been made on other key health indicators such as reducing maternal, infant and child deaths and malnutrition, increasing immunization coverage, eliminating infectious diseases such as polio and reducing the incidence of mal
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aria, tuberculosis and diarrhoeal diseases.
But despite such substantial progress, the country now faces new and emerging new challenges such as the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases, increased risks associated with disasters, environmental threats and health emergencies during disease outbreaks including the COVID-19 pandemic that is a serious public health threat to Bangladesh. To establish a resilience system for future potential pandemics, the national capacity for emergency preparedness and early response to health emergencies needs to be bolstered considerably.
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NHỮNG CÂN NHẮC VÀ KHUYẾN NGHỊ THIẾT THỰC CHO CÁC NHÀ LÃNH ĐẠO TÔN GIÁO VÀ CỘNG ĐỒNG TÔN GIÁO TRONG BỐI CẢNH COVID-19
Practical considerations and recommendations for religious leaders and faith-based communities in the context of COVID-19
Religious leaders, faith
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-based organizations, and faith communities can play a major role in saving lives and reducing illness related to COVID-19.1 They are a primary source of support, comfort, guidance, and direct health care and social service, for the communities they serve. Religious leaders of faith-based organizations and communities of faith can share health information to protect their own members and wider communities, which may be more likely to be accepted than from other sources. They can provide pastoral and spiritual support during public health emergencies and other health challenges and can advocate for the needs of vulnerable populations.
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The document “Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response Systems: A Guide to Planning” is a World Health Organization (WHO) guide designed to help countries develop and strengthen national surveillance and response systems for communicable d
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iseases . It explains why surveillance is essential for early detection of outbreaks, informed decision-making, and effective public health action, especially in the context of the revised International Health Regulations (2005).
The guide provides a structured approach to strategic and operational planning. It outlines how countries should assess their existing systems, define a vision and goals, identify expected key result areas (EKRAs), prioritize activities, set realistic targets, allocate resources, and monitor progress. It also includes practical tools such as templates, worksheets, and examples to support ministries of health in organizing planning workshops and developing multi-year strategic plans and annual operational plans. Overall, the document serves as a practical framework to improve preparedness, early warning, and response to public health emergencies.
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Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication is an approach to communicating effectively during emergencies. These principles are used by public health
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professionals and public information officers to provide information that helps individuals, stakeholders, and entire communities make the best possible decisions for themselves and their loved ones. CERC recognizes that during emergencies, we work under impossible time constraints and must accept the imperfect nature of our choices. CERC draws from lessons learned during public health emergencies and research in the fields of public health and emergency risk communication.
The CERC program consists of 1) training, 2) resources, and 3) shared learning.
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