By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – World Health Organization on Friday said that it has successfully concluded a two-day exercise simulating the outbreak of a fictional virus spreading across the world and what it will take to contain it.
“Exercise Polaris” was designed to test a new global coordination mechanism for health emergencies, under the umbrella of the WHO’s Global Health Emergency Corps Convened by over 15 countries, 20 regional health agencies, health emergency networks and other partners.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that this exercise proves that when countries lead and partners connect, the world is better prepared”.
GHEC’s structure emphasized the importance of coordinating the deployment of surge teams and experts and of enhancing collaboration between countries shows that global cooperation is not only possible, it is essential,” said Tedros. “No country can face the next pandemic alone.”
WHO provided technical guidance and emergency support throughout the simulation, while countries were leading their own response efforts.
Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme said “The Global Health Emergency Corps has evolved into a powerful platform, building on practice, trust and connection.”
He added “Exercise Polaris showed what is possible when countries operate with urgency and unity supported by well-connected partners.”
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