Independent evaluation of healthcare systems increases transparency and cooperation

With Finland's leadership, the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) programme developed a mechanism where independent external experts in cooperation with national officials evaluate the health security of a country.

Finland's concrete efforts to improve international health security continue for the third year in a row.  The GHSA programme was founded in 2014, and Finland acted as the GHSA Chair in 2015.
Lead by Finland, the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) has succeeded in improving the ability of different countries to respond to and prevent cross border health threats.

Based on the evaluation tool, the World Health Organisation WHO and GHSA have developed a mechanism for evaluating the implementation of International Health Regulations (IHR). This year, WHO has already performed 16 country assessments.

Lead by Finland, a so called Alliance for Country Assessment was also founded to support the work of WHO and member countries on country evaluations in different parts of the world. The Alliance increases cooperation between authorities and other operators. Moreover, the Alliance is tasked to inform investors about the country programmes formulated based on the evaluations so that the countries can receive support for the development of health security.

Permanent Secretary Päivi Sillanaukee will be participating in the international Ministerial Meeting of the health security programme in Rotterdam on 12–14 October. There will also be an Alliance steering group meeting, chaired by Sillanaukee.

“National preparedness is fortified by cooperation between different sectors and operators. This way, health security risks can be handled whether they are caused by an infectious epidemic, natural disaster or accident. Many countries need funding from external investors. In order for the funding to be targeted correctly, it is important to first have an independent evaluation of potential gaps in national preparedness”, says Permanent Secretary Sillanaukee.

The independent evaluations of healthcare systems increase transparency and cooperation between operators. It also helps target the required aid where it is most useful. Country assessments are voluntary. The plan is to evaluate the situation in Finland in spring 2017.

In the long run, the goal is to prevent infectious diseases from spreading and becoming global threats on people's health, national economies, safety and stability.

Further information

Outi Kuivasniemi, Ministerial Counsellor for International Affairs, tel. +358 2951 63117
Anni Virolainen-Julkunen, Ministerial Counsellor for Health/Medical Affairs, tel. +358 2951 63324