An agreement to bolster hospital resilience in the face of escalating regional crises was signed today by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The memorandum of understanding (MoA) aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and preparedness across member states.
The collaboration focuses on enhancing the ability of hospitals to withstand and rapidly recover from disasters and public health emergencies. A key component of the initiative involves utilizing the hospital safety index to assess the vulnerability of health facilities, particularly in Libya, where preparations are already underway for safety evaluations. This index provides a standardized method for identifying structural and non-structural weaknesses within hospitals.
The agreement comes as both organizations increasingly emphasize the critical need to protect health systems from growing disaster risks. PAHO has issued calls for increased investment in resilience, recognizing that proactive measures are essential to maintaining essential health services during and after emergencies. This includes strengthening primary healthcare systems, a focus area for PAHO’s ongoing efforts to revolutionize the prevention, control, and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Although the specific details of the MoA remain unreleased, the partnership builds on existing collaborative efforts between the WHO, and PAHO. Both organizations have previously worked together on initiatives related to pandemic preparedness and response, as well as strengthening health systems in vulnerable regions. The current agreement represents a formalized commitment to prioritize hospital safety and resilience as a core component of broader health security strategies.
The signing of the MoA follows a recent PAHO statement advocating for a scaled-up approach to NCD care through primary healthcare, highlighting the interconnectedness of health system strengthening and disaster preparedness. The organizations have not yet announced a timeline for the full implementation of the agreement or specific targets for improving hospital safety across member states.
