Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T09:19:30.035Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Core Capacities for Public Health Emergencies of International Concern at Ground Crossings: A Case Study from North India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 September 2019

Rahuldeep Singh Open the ORCID record for Rahuldeep Singh [Opens in a new window] ,
Kumar Sumit  and
Shaikh Shah Hossain
Rahuldeep Singh*
Affiliation:
Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
Kumar Sumit
Affiliation:
Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
Shaikh Shah Hossain
Affiliation:
Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Rahuldeep Singh, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India, 576104 (e-mail: [email protected]).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

International airports, ports, and ground crossings are required to have health units for undertaking public health measures during routine times and specific measures during the time of public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). This study was conducted at a ground crossing of North India to assess the implementation status of International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) at a ground crossing in the prevention and control of public health emergencies and to assess the risk of imported infections from a ground crossing.

Methods:

A qualitative study was conducted at the selected point of entry. The World Health Organization (WHO) core capacity assessment tool and in-depth interviews were used for data collection in the form of meetings and visits to isolation sites, and general observations were conducted regarding facilities on routine and other infrastructure and equipment that can be used during emergencies. Respondents were recruited using purposive methods.

Results:

The findings reveal that there is lack of awareness among the travelers, which increases the risks of spreading diseases. The overall implementation status at the ground crossing according to the assessment conducted using WHO Tool was 76%. It showed the need for further strengthening of the implementation at the site. Gaps were identified regarding the local capacity for handling chemical, radiological and nuclear hazards, and shortage of regular staff through stakeholders.

Conclusion:

The findings from this study, as well as the suggestions and recommendations given by stakeholders, should help revise the current strategies of action. Hence, the gaps identified should be fulfilled to better respond to PHEIC at the ground crossings.

Keywords

border health measuresground crossingsIHRpoint of entrypublic health emergencies
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , April 2020 , pp. 214 - 221
Copyright
© 2019 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

World Health Organization (WHO). International Health Regulations (2005). 3rd ed. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2015.Google Scholar
Merrill, RD, Rogers, K, Ward, S, et al. Responding to communicable diseases in internationally mobile populations at points of entry and along porous borders, Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. Emerg Infect Dis. 2017;23(13):114-120. doi:10.3201/eid2313.170520.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen, NJ, Brown, CM, Alvarado-Ramy, F, et al. Travel and border health measures to prevent the international spread of Ebola. MMWR Suppl. 2016;65(3):57-67. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su6503a9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Self-assessment tool for nations to increase preparedness for cross-border implications of crises. Vienna, Austria: Borders Unit Transnational Threats Department; 2013.Google Scholar
Gushulak, B, Weekers, J, MacPherson, D.Migrants and emerging public health issues in a globalized world: threats, risks and challenges, an evidence-based framework. Emerg Health Threats J. 2009;2(1):70-91.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. Ground crossings. WHO-Regional Office for Europe. http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/emergencies/international-health-regulations/points-of-entry/ground-crossings. Accessed November 25, 2017.Google Scholar
International Health Dte. General of Health Services, MoHFW. Biological. International Health Organization. 2017. https://www.ihrpoe.co.in/pdf/biological.php. Accessed September 15, 2017.Google Scholar
World Health Organization (WHO). Combating emerging infectious diseases in South-East Asia region. New Delhi: World Health Organization; 2005.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. Assessment tool for core capacity requirements at designated airports, ports and ground crossings. 2009. http://www.who.int/ihr/ports_airports/PoE/en. Accessed September 15, 2017.Google Scholar
Land Ports Authority of India: ICP Attari. Updated January 30, 2018. http://lpai.gov.in/content/innerpage/icp-attari.php. Accessed February 15, 2018.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. Bi-regional multi-country expert workshop to strengthen the capacity requirements for the International Health Regulations at ground crossings. 2013. http://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/events/events/2013/06/bi-regional-multi-country-expert-workshop-to-strengthen-the-capacity-requirements-for-the-international-health-regulations-at-ground-crossings. Accessed December 26, 2017.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. International Health Regulations (2005) core capacities at points of entry: report of regional meeting, Kochi, India, June 26-28, 2013. New Delhi: Regional Office for South-East Asia. 2015. http://apps.searo.who.int/PDS_DOCS/B5198.pdf. Accessed December 14, 2017.Google Scholar
World Health Organization (WHO). International Health Regulations (2005) areas of work for implementation. WHO/CDS/EPR/IHR/2007.1. Lyon, France: World Health Organization; 2007.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. IHR core capacities at points of entry: report of a regional meeting, Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 14–16, 2010. New Delhi: World Health Organization; 2011.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. Implementation of International Health Regulations (2005) – report of the first regional workshop, Malé, Republic of Maldives, April 23–25, 2007. New Delhi: World Health Organization; 2008.Google Scholar