State Parties Meeting / BWC 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva “Transfer of Knowledge and Experience” Mahdi AL- Jewari Iraqi National Monitoring Authority ( INMA ) Your Logo Ihr Logo
Strengthening International Cooperation Iraq recognizes a need to establish partnerships for joint cooperation and assistance in order to: � Implement the commitments contained in the BWC . � Build capacity through international cooperation . � Determine needs based on accurate gap assessments . � Improve laboratory biosafety to protect workers . � Institute biosecurity measures to prevent loss and theft . Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Transfer of Knowledge and Experience between Iraq and the United States of America The Governments of Iraq and the United States of America have partnered in capacity-building efforts to improve Iraq’s capability in the fields of disease surveillance, detection, diagnosis and combating of infectious diseases and related research . Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Iraq Scientist Engagement Program (ISEP) An Iraq specific program that engages Iraqi scientist and engineers with WMD and WMD-applicable skills to reduce the proliferation risk of expertise and materials. OBJECTIVE : In the period 2003-2012, the program successfully engaged scientists with dual-use expertise, across all fields, to build safe scientific capacity. ISEP enabled Iraq scientist to address key environmental concerns and human/animal health issues encouraging a culture of safe and responsible science across Iraq. Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Key Successes: � Iraq Science Fellowship Program – placed fellows at universities, research institutions and private companies across the United States. � Iraq Virtual Science Library – a multi-partner effort to provide free, full-text access to thousands of scientific journals as well as a large collection of on-line educational materials. � Iraq Research and Development Initiative – funded Iraq scientists to undertake projects that assist in reconstructing Iraq and to develop the science and technology fields in Iraq. Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Field Epidemiology Training Program Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement an Iraq Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) focused on disease surveillance, outbreak response, and program evaluation through training programs in applied epidemiology. OBJECTIVE : Improve the capacity of Iraqi medical personnel to respond to emergencies, better understand the situation of water and foodborne diseases in the country, support mental health well-being, and ensure safety during mass gatherings. Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Future Plans: � Develop rapid response teams of three field epidemiologists in each of Iraq’s 18 provinces within 10 years in addition to supporting 50 individuals at the national level. � Provide additional workshops to address gaps or supplement University- provided classroom sessions . � Refine strategies for Public Health systems strengthening and workforce development . � Develop activities to improve disease detection, reporting, and response at all levels . Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Biorisk Management Workshops Series of introductory, intermediate, advanced and train-the-trainer workshops to be offered over the course of three (3) years to personnel from the Iraq National Monitoring Authority (INMA), the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and others as needed. OBJECTIVE: Develop a foundation of Biorisk Management specialist across Iraq prepared to shape laboratory divisions, develop protocols, carry out efficient and accurate diagnostic procedures, and make sound decisions when handling disease outbreaks. Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Main Topics : � Biorisk Assessment, Risk Characterization, and Evaluation . � Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity Practices . � Personal Protective Equipment . � Waste Management, Handling, and Decontamination . � Emergency and Incident Planning and Response . Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
National Biorisk Management Committee The Government of Iraq established the National Biorisk Management Committee in August of 2012 to develop a national biosafety & biosecurity strategy. The NBMC is chaired by the Ministry of Health and is comprised of representatives from the following ministries: Agriculture, Defense, Interior, Higher Education, Finance, Planning, Industry, Prime Minister’s Council, Science & Technology, Environment, Prime Minister’s Advisory Commission, Trade, and Water Resource & Irrigation. Additional ministries participate as is necessary. OBJECTIVE: The key objectives of the NBMC include: Drafting a National Biorisk Law to be adopted throughout Iraq, develop a nationally recognized Especially Dangerous Pathogens List . Protection of workers, community and the environment from biological agents and toxins. Develop Standard Operating Procedures. Reduce Biorisks threats by adopting international risk assessment & management practices . Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Overarching Goals : � Enhance the implementation of Iraq obligations according to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 (2004). � Achieving to comprehensive system for Biorisk management to reduce the biorisks and contribute of strengthening national capacity building to counter biological threats . Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Planned Cooperative Efforts The following cooperative efforts between Iraq and the United States are planned during 2014-2016 to improve Iraq’s ability to detect, diagnose and report infectious disease outbreaks in accordance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Health Regulations (IHR), the World Organization for Animal Health’s (OIE) and the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization’s (FAO) reporting guidelines. 1. Implementation of the Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System (EIDSS) . 2. Design and consolidate Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) and National Communicable Disease Control Center (NCDCC) . 3. Biosafety & Biosecurity assessments and rapid upgrades of regional laboratories . 4. Conduct 2nd phase of Biorisk Management Training and begin Clinician Training . 5. Foster safe, secure and sustainable bioscience capacity through joint scientific collaborations . Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Overarching Goals : � Implementation of a National Biorisk Mitigation Strategy . � Improved Biosafety & Biosecurity within Biological Laboratories . � Increased Human and Animal Health Surveillance across Iraq . � Continued Biorisk Management Training and Mentorship . Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Request for Future Cooperation and Assistance In support of commitments contained in the Biological Convention, Iraq would like to request the assistance from additional state parties to strengthen international cooperation and build national capacities to address biological risks and threats in order to reduce their effects. Iraq Need Assistance with the Following: 1. Cooperation in developing legislation and guidance for biosafety and biosecurity and exchange of experiences in the field of conducting biological risk assessments. 2. Assistance in developing laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) aligned with International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 and best practices for biological risk management. Your Logo 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva
Sponsorship of laboratory and clinician personnel to attend biosafety 3. and biosecurity workshops designed to raise awareness and efficiency of specialists dealing with microorganisms, toxins and disease causing agents. Continued support of Iraq participation at international science 4. conferences and professional exchanges to promote the open sharing of knowledge, innovation, and ideas . 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva Your Logo
� Aljewari.mahdi@gmail.com � Biodep@imnd.org Your Logo Ihr Logo
Table-Top Exercise A tabletop exercise (TTX) was conducted with 35 representatives from the Iraq and Kurdistan Ministries of Health (MoH) and Agriculture (MoA) representing 12 governorates across Iraq to characterize each ministry’s reaction and capabilities in the event of a human, animal, and/or zoonotic disease outbreak. OBJECTIVE : The TTX provided an opportunity for each ministry to better understand the current capabilities in disease detection, sample collection, sample transportation, diagnosis, surveillance, control, and biosafety/biosecurity practices. 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva Your Logo Ihr Logo
Table-Top Exercise Main Topics � Outlined the ministry’s roles, procedures, policies, and infrastructure in handling outbreaks � Characterized each ministry’s reaction and capabilities of a potential disease outbreak � Identified control measures in the event of a human, animal, or zoonotic disease outbreak � Prioritized strengths, weaknesses, and gaps for future engagement activities 9 – 13 Dec. 2013 Geneva Your Logo Ihr Logo
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