The Ministry of Public Health in Qatar recently hosted a training course on ‘Public Health Skills for Action in Complex Emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.’ The event, which followed the success of a previous course held in 2023, welcomed 60 participants from 24 countries and 4 regions. The Ministry, along with experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, emphasized the importance of building surge capacity and a well-trained public health workforce to tackle global health challenges.
Dr Soha Al Bayat, Director of the Health Emergencies Department at the Ministry of Public Health, highlighted the State of Qatar’s support for the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) initiative. She emphasized the need for broader participation in this crucial initiative and the importance of collaboration and partnership in addressing public health challenges. The course aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond to complex health emergencies, such as infectious disease outbreaks, conflicts, and natural disasters.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for a coordinated global response to health emergencies. The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) has faced numerous public health threats, highlighting the importance of a skilled and coordinated regional health workforce. The training course is a vital investment in building surge capacity, fostering collaboration, and strengthening the regional health emergency workforce to better prepare communities for future health crises.
The intensive training course, recognized as one of the best globally, combines theoretical learning with practical simulations to equip emergency responders and leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills, and leadership capabilities. The course, developed in collaboration with The WHO EMRO and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, provides participants with expertise to design and implement effective public health interventions in challenging emergency environments.
In her closing remarks, Dr Soha encouraged participants to apply the lessons learned and share their newfound expertise with their colleagues in their respective countries. She emphasized the journey does not end with the training course and that building a stronger, more resilient public health workforce capable of responding effectively to any crisis requires ongoing collaboration and sharing of knowledge. With the support of initiatives like the GHEC, countries can work together to address complex global health challenges and strengthen public health systems.
