PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES: NEED MORE FOCUS?

World Health Organization has defined the term Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in the International Health Regulation (IHR), 2005 as “an extraordinary event which is determined, as provided in these Regulations: to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease; and to potentially require a coordinated international response”. This definition implies a situation that is serious, unusual or unexpected; carries implications for public health beyond the affected State’s national border; and may require immediate international action. The serious public health events that endanger international public health may be determined under the regulations of public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC). PHEIC is a legally binding international instrument on disease prevention, surveillance, control, and response adopted by 194 countries