Enhancing Genomic Surveillance for Pandemics: WHO's Comprehensive Guide
 |
| WHO Unveils Comprehensive Guide for Nations Crafting Genomic Surveillance Strategies Against Pandemic-Capable Pathogens |
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the crucial role of genomics in bolstering our public health defenses against potential pathogens with pandemic and epidemic characteristics. As nations strive to build upon the lessons learned from the genomic surveillance efforts during the COVID-19 crisis, a series of pivotal questions have arisen: How can we ensure the continuous operation of genomic surveillance systems? Which infectious agents should be prioritized for genomic surveillance? What financial resources are required to sustain these vital surveillance systems?
To facilitate the development of effective genomic surveillance strategies at the national level, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently unveiled a comprehensive resource titled "Considerations for Developing a National Genomic Surveillance Strategy or Action Plan for Pathogens with Pandemic and Epidemic Potential." This invaluable guide offers a step-by-step roadmap, addressing critical considerations and approaches required to formulate a robust national strategy. It is designed for use by various stakeholders, including health authorities, One Health partners, donors, public health officials, academic institutions, private sector entities, and laboratory specialists, all of whom play pivotal roles in shaping and executing these strategies.
Let's hear insights from different stakeholders:
1. Gina Samaan, Unit Head, Pandemic Preparedness Global Platforms, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, World Health Organization, emphasizes, "Tools like the step-by-step guide can assist countries in elaborating national plans and inform capacity building needs. Together, this will help us collectively achieve the Global Strategy’s key measure of success – that by 2032, all 194 WHO Member States have, or have access to, timely genomic sequencing for pathogens with pandemic and epidemic potential."
2. Leena Inamdar, Consultant in Global Health Security and Head of NVAP Programme, UK Health Security Agency, applauds WHO's guide, stating, "WHO’s step-by-step guide provides an excellent framework to policy makers and health authorities to strengthen national genomic surveillance infrastructure and capabilities. Encompassing a systematic and comprehensive approach across the value chain from advocacy, action planning, financial costing to resource mobilization, this tool will be of immense practical value to improve the quality and timely reporting of genomic data for rapid development of vaccines and therapeutics."
3. Luke W. Meredith, Sequencing Consultant, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, shares his experience with the guide, saying, "Applying the step-by-step guide in Oman, it provided good information and guidance on the key steps necessary to build a framework for a national genomics program. The value of bringing together key stakeholders with expertise in a wide range of areas, for open discussion about the principles, goals, and challenges associated with implementing genomics was clear."
4. Toni Whistler, PhD., Laboratory and COVID-19 Diagnostics and Testing Specialist at The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, emphasizes the global impact of WHO's resource: "WHO’s step-by-step guide is a pivotal resource that aligns with The Global Fund’s commitment to rise above disease-specific silos toward building resilient and sustainable systems for health. By encapsulating key considerations and presenting a systematic stepwise approach, this tool empowers nations to harness genomic data effectively, enhancing their ability to monitor infectious diseases, tailor interventions, and ultimately bolster global health security."
In summary, WHO's comprehensive guide provides nations with the essential tools and insights needed to develop robust genomic surveillance strategies, ensuring our collective preparedness for future pandemics and epidemics. This resource unites stakeholders from various sectors in a common mission to safeguard global health security through effective genomics-based surveillance.
إرسال تعليق