Nominated ECDC National Correspondent in each partner country coordinates participation of experts in the activities of the EU Initiative on Health Security.
As part of an EU Initiative on Health Security established in March 2020, European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) has developed a comprehensive work programme for 2021 to enhance regional cooperation in the fields of epidemic intelligence, rapid risk assessment, preparedness and response.
Participation in 2021 activities is primarily aimed at professionals employed by the Ministries of Health and National Public Health Agencies (or similar). Current EU candidate countries are Albania, Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidates.
Workshops, trainings, and simulation exercises will focus on epidemic intelligence and rapid risk assessment; epidemic intelligence; public health emergency preparedness and response plans; and setting-up emergency operation centers and developing protocols for public health emergencies.
A cross-border simulation exercise will test emergency preparedness and response plans.
The goal of the initiative is to empower partner countries’ professionals to better face the threats public health systems have to fight against. Several thematic events based on specific interests will be organized.
Due to current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and pressure on public health systems, certain activities in the work programme might be organized remotely.
Learn more at ECDC about the Work Programme 2021 of the EU Initiative on Health Security.
