New health partnership to combat global health threats
Today, Finland's Minister of Health and Social Services Susanna Huovinen will meet with her American colleague Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in Washington D.C. Topics of discussion at the meeting will include implementation of the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Health Regulations. At the same time, the Global Health Security Agenda, a new type of health partnership that will contribute to health security, will be launched.
The goal of this five year project is to prevent epidemics, respond to health threats at an early enough stage and distribute information. Finland has extensive expertise in this field.
"Finland adopted WHO's International Health Regulations, drawn up to help combat global health risks, nearly ten years ago. The new partnership agenda can promote adoption of the International Health Regulations more globally," Minister Huovinen states.
In addition to Finland and the United States, other participants in the Global Health Security Agenda include over 20 countries, the European Union, WHO, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The partnership aims to function as a network between participating countries. The network will offer peer support and help bring the best practices to light. Finland is also part of WHO's and the EU's monitoring and alert system and participates in cooperation worldwide, as well as with the Nordic countries and nearby regions.
Further information:Ms Outi Kuivasniemi, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 2951 63117
International Health Regulations (WHO)