Specialists told Al-Bilad: Raising awareness raises the response to epidemics
The International Epidemic Preparedness Day sheds light on the dangers of epidemics and pandemics, highlighting the importance of preventing their spread, and preparing for them in a correct manner that takes into account partnership in confronting them, for more effective, faster, and more successful solutions, as doctors and consultants assured Al-Bilad that there are many health lessons that resulted from the pandemic. Corona and contributed to strengthening the global health system for preparing for epidemics, as all preventive health plans related to confronting epidemics and pandemics have been activated at all global levels so that all societies are prepared to face emergencies.
The Secretary-General of the Federation of Arab Hospitals, Professor of Public Health, Family and Community Medicine, Professor Tawfiq Ahmed Khoja, believes that there is an urgent need to raise awareness, exchange information and scientific knowledge, to prevent and respond to epidemics, and it is important to enhance the prevention of epidemics by applying lessons learned about managing the epidemic, The concept of integrated health promotes the integration of human health, animal health, and plant health, as the concept of health promotion has become more important in recent years. This is because many factors have changed the relationship between humans, animals, and the environment.
Khoja drew attention to the importance of taking preparedness and response measures including stockpiling and distributing adequate supplies of essential medicines, vaccines, food and water against the potential threat posed by infectious disease outbreaks.
Enhance preparedness capabilities
Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Regional Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, said that the role of the World Health Organization precedes the occurrence of epidemics and pandemics, through preparedness and preparedness, and then accompanies them through response, coordination and follow-up, adding: “The organization has a complete program to enhance preparedness and response capabilities, in Member states, so that we are not attacked by epidemics or pandemics, without being ready to deal with them, whether in terms of planning, securing human or material resources, and other preparation requirements, and during epidemics, the World Health Organization moves immediately, to communicate with member countries, and the organization plays multiple roles Some of them preceded the emergence of the pandemic, by supporting the capabilities of countries, completing their preparedness and readiness plans, and responding to any epidemics or pandemics that may occur at any time, in accordance with the provisions of the International Health Regulations and their amendments.
He continued: “The organization’s efforts include achieving a better understanding of the pandemic, through continuous and constant analysis of data, and working closely with international experts, to understand the transmission, epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the virus.
The World Health Organization has developed research protocols that are being used in dozens of countries, in a coordinated manner.” Al-Mandhari pointed out that among the important roles of the organization is coordination with scientific networks of researchers and other experts, to coordinate global work in the areas of surveillance and epidemiology, prediction, diagnosis, clinical care and treatment, and other methods to identify and manage disease and limit its transmission, noting that the organization provides all Possible types of support, whether technical support, which focuses on strengthening the laboratory capabilities of countries, enabling them to conduct the necessary tests to discover cases, and training cadres that will work in various areas of response, or financial support for low-income countries.
health threats
Regarding the difference between epidemics and a pandemic, Dr. Muhammad Bakr Saleh Qandeh, a family and community medicine consultant, says: “Epidemics are an unexpected, and often sudden, increase in the rates of infection with a specific disease within a community or a region. As for a pandemic, it occurs when a specific epidemic spreads throughout the country. The world, transcending international borders and affecting large numbers of people, and a number of infectious diseases can pose major health threats at the local, regional and global levels, leading to the outbreak of epidemics or pandemics.
Qandeh referred to the term epidemic and pandemic applied to viral diseases that pose a threat to world societies in terms of spread and deaths, so heart diseases, diabetes, or others are not considered epidemics or a pandemic, for example, stressing that the general measures are the same, but differ from one country to another according to health capabilities. And the nature of people, environmental factors, and other factors, but it may bear the unified preventive nature and health requirements in all countries of the world, such as the Corona pandemic.
Emphasis on the need to take the necessary measures
Consultant pediatrician, Dr. Nasr El-Din El-Sharif, confirmed that epidemics and pandemics pose a threat to societies within the country or to the entire planet - as was the case - in the Corona pandemic, as the spread of the Corona virus in the world was a major reason that called on the global community to take effective steps to face the challenge. In addition to threatening human lives, global health pandemics and epidemics also threaten health, social and economic systems in the world, especially countries that suffer mainly from these aspects. These epidemics increase the threat to people''s lives.
Al-Sharif said: “Dedicating a global day for preparedness for epidemics is not limited to health authorities only at all levels, whether individual or health agencies and organizations. food, water, transportation facilities, and fair distribution of these materials, and raising the slogan of prevention reduces the effects of the epidemic and also reduces the increase in the number of deaths and other health risks, and encourages cooperation between world governments in the field of medicine, scientific research and health crisis management.
