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UID:13@moh.gov.bt
DTSTART:20250127T090000Z
DTEND:20250129T170000Z
DTSTAMP:20250131T015756Z
URL:https://moh.gov.bt/events/ttx-on-strengthening-pandemic-preparedness-t
 hrough-one-health-approach/
SUMMARY:TTX on Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness through One Health Appro
 ach
DESCRIPTION:The Ministry of Health\, in collaboration with key One Health s
 takeholders\, successfully conducted a Tabbletop Simulation Exercise (TTX)
  on Pandemic Preparedness and Response from 27-29 January 2025 at the Roya
 l Institite for Governance and Strategic Studies(RIGSS)\, Phuentsholing.\n
 \nRIGSS holds nationals significance as Bhutan's premier institution for g
 overnance and strategic leadership. During the COVID-19 pandemic\, it serv
 ed as the command centre for the Southern COVID-19 Task Force\, where crit
 ical decisions on response strategies\, coordination\, and resource mobili
 zation were made. Hosting this TTX at RIGSS symbolizes  our continued com
 mitment to evidence-based decision-making\, crisis leadership\, and multis
 ectoral collaboration in pandemic preparedness.\n\nThe exercise aimed to e
 valuate multisectoral preparedness and response mechanisms for zoonotic di
 seases with pandemic potential\, diseases that affect humans\, domestic an
 imals\, and wildlife. The TTX was based on a hypothetical yet plausible sc
 enario involving a novel H5N1 mutant strain (H5N1 2.3.4.4XX)\, a potential
 ly deadlier variant of avian influenza due to its increased transmissibili
 ty among mammals and a higher mortality rate in infected animals\, raising
  concerns about potential of severe illness in humans.\n\nA total of 57 pa
 rticipants and facilitators from key agencies\, including the Ministry of 
 Health (DoPH\, DCS\, BFDA\, RCDC)\, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock 
 (DoL\, NCAH)\, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (DoFPS &amp\; DoEC
 C)\, Office of the Prime Minister (NDTF Secretariat)\, Department of Local
  Governance and Disaster Management\, Bhutan Red Cross Society\, KGUMSB\, 
 RIGSS\, Royal Bhutan Police\, Royal Bhutan Army\, De-suung\, WHO Country O
 ffice\, UNDP\, and other stakeholders\, engaged in scenario-based discussi
 ons. The exercise focused on coordination\, surveillance\, risk assessment
 \, laboratory capacities\, clinical management\, supplies and logistics (d
 rugs\, PPE\, equipment and vaccines) and other emergency response strategi
 es.\n\nWe were honored to have Dasho Chewang Rinzin\, Vice Chancellor of t
 he Royal University of Bhutan (RUB)\, as the Chief Guest. In his opening r
 emarks\, Dasho emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from past expe
 riences\, particularly Bhutan’s strategic and well-coordinated response 
 to COVID-19\, to strengthen preparedness for future pandemics.\n\nThe exer
 cise\, supported by the Pandemic Fund  Project\, served as an opportunity
  to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration and strengthen Bhutan’s health 
 security and emergency response mechanisms.\nKey Takeaways:\n\n 	Strengthe
 ned coordination and response mechanisms for pandemic preparedness\n 	Iden
 tified gaps and areas for improvement in national pandemic readiness\n 	Re
 inforced the One Health approach to tackle emerging zoonotic threats\n\nA 
 heartfelt thank you to all participants\, facilitators\, and partners for 
 making this a meaningful and impactful exercise!\n\n#OneHealth #PandemicPr
 eparedness #HealthSecurity #Collaboration #StrongerTogether
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