The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), through the Centre for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Operations, successfully took part in a training simulation exercise designed to help measure global preparedness in the event of the occurrence of an epidemic. The exercise is coordinated by the World Health Organizations (WHO) Global Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and the EOC Network, a global network of health emergency operations centres.

The training exercise was aimed at assessing response reactions to the occurrence of a global pandemic situation. The simulation scenario revolved around an imaginary outbreak of influenza with pandemic potential, This is the first training exercise of its kind and the third in a series of training simulations conducted this year. The training exercise did not include a real virus, as it was just an online exercise. The exercise did not affect public or official activity in these centers.

Dr. Abdul Karim Abdullah Al Zarouni, Director of Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Operations Center, MOHAP, pointed out the importance of the training, which helped in testing the plans and the efficiency of the response across a realistic environment to gain in-depth experiences that can be improved through practice and application. The exercise was conducted for assessments by specialized international experts to monitor how the EOC performs in real time and to measure performance as expected from current procedures.

Al Zarouni stressed on the significance of the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Operations Center of MOHAP in the global assessment to determine the response to global epidemics, as part of enhancing the performance and expertise of the national teams to coordinate emergency preparedness efforts and manage the field response in emergencies cases, management of field response operations, and the organization of a mechanism to be mobilized during emergencies in accordance with best global practices.

He explained that this exercise was aimed at identifying challenges and opportunities that will ultimately assist in the assessment process and improve the readiness of member countries to respond jointly and effectively to an urgent global public health situation. This training is one of the many ways that WHO supports countries to be prepared for global health emergencies.