The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), an international network for outbreak alert and response that was established in 2000, met on Monday to discuss the implementation of GOARN’s recently launched strategy 2022-2026. The 5-day workshop, which brings together representatives of the network’s members from different regions, is co-hosted in Jordan by the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The opening ceremony was attended by Feras Hawari, the minister of health, Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program (virtual), Jamela Al-Raiby, the WHO representative to Jordan, and Gail Carson, the chair of the GAORN Steering Committee. A statement by EMPHNET on Tuesday said that the event comes after three months since the launch of the strategy which was developed by GOARN’s global partners to make certain that the GOARN remains strategically focused during the next four years to ensure preparedness for and appropriate responses to public health emergencies. The strategy themes aim to apply a community-centered approach, renew commitment to the global public health emergency workforce, create solutions for better responses, and promote collaborative response. The workshop is the first of many next steps that the strategy development will aid in its implementation. Through it, GOARN and its partners will advocate for and increase opportunities for partners to engage in delivering key activities for the priorities of this strategy, including collaboration and co-ownership of projects at national, regional, and global levels. The implementation plan and documentation of the resources required will support and guide partners, stakeholders, GOARN, its Operational Support Team, and its Steering Committee in operations, development, and oversight. Following the workshop, GOARN’s Steering Committee, which had a core role in developing and monitoring the Strategy for GOARN will hold its 33rd meeting to focus on how to transition from the discussions at the strategy workshop to decision-making and execution by GOARN partners.

Source: Jordan News Agency