Experts highlight all-hazards health threats preparedness, health inequalities and international cooperation to improve Ireland’s health security.
Ireland is implementing a health protection strategy to safeguard against infectious diseases, chemical, radiation incidents and environmental hazards, a HSE conference heard today (Thursday, 12th October 2023).
The HSE Public Health: Health Protection conference brought together senior HSE colleagues and expert keynote speakers including Dr Andrea Ammon, Director of the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and Professor Breda Smyth, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Department of Health.
Attendees also heard from Professor Susan Hopkin, Chief Medical Advisor to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Dr Greg Martin, HSE HPSC Director, to name but a few, on subjects including antimicrobial resistance, health threats preparedness, vaccination strategy, invasive group A streptococcal infection, migrant health and the influence of deprivation and affluence in relation to COVID19. The event also provided a forum for networking and learning between colleagues, nationally and internationally.
Speaking at the event Dr Éamonn O’Moore, HSE National Director for Health Protection outlined how the five year health protection strategy has begun to put in place “robust mechanisms to help protect the public by delivering a dynamic, flexible and comprehensive response to emerging threats and building capacity” within the Irish public health system to enhance Ireland’s health security.
“The COVID19 pandemic illustrated the fundamental importance of a strong health protection service. One year on from the launch of the HSE Health Protection Strategy 2022-2027, we have strengthened our ability to respond to all health threats and will continue to build capability over the coming years,” he continued.
Dr Ammon told the conference that international collaboration, knowledge and information sharing are key components in the fight against viral threats and antibiotic resistance. “Infectious diseases do not respect borders and in reality nobody is safe until we are all safe, which is the theme of this very important conference,” she added.
Professor Breda Smyth, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), outlined: “As we continue to work nationally and with our EU partners to assess, learn and implement the lessons from COVID19, today’s conference is a very welcome opportunity to take stock of what we have learned from the experience of recent years and prepare for the future. Strengthening health protection and emergency preparedness is a key priority for the Office of the CMO. I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues here today as we continue to drive forward with ambitious programme of reform in this area.”
For conference updates, follow @hpscireland.
Last updated on: 12 / 10 / 2023
