Eleven Health Ministers In South East Asia Region Agreed To Set Up A Fund To Building Preparedness For Health Emergencies In The Region

Eleven Health Ministers in South East Asia Region had yesterday (09)agreed to set up a fund to building preparedness for health emergencies in the region which is one of the most disaster prone, during the final day of the Health Ministers Summit.

"The new fund will allow countries in South East Asia Region to invest in infrastructure and human resources that will enhance preparedness "according to Director of WHO's South East Asia Region Dr.Poonam Kethrapal Singh.

In recent years earthquakes ,cyclones and floods have caused health emergencies in the South East Asia Region.The region has also been threatened by a range of emergency diseases including SARS,MERS,cov,pandemic influenza and Zika Virus she has stressed.

Establishing a joint funding stream under the South East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund(SEAHEF) to help countries better prepare for such events was seen by member countries as a key priority for the regional health agenda at present as funds of SEAHEF are disbursed only once a disaster has occurred Dr.Singh has stated.