WHO Webinar: Unlocking Emergency Preparedness - The Role of National Health Agencies (2026)

The governance of national public health agencies is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of emergency preparedness and response. This webinar, hosted by the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, aims to shed light on this vital topic and explore how governance mechanisms can be strengthened to enhance the effectiveness of these agencies.

The Role of National Public Health Agencies (NPHAs)

NPHAs are at the forefront of public health, playing a central role in preventing, detecting, and managing health threats. Their functions are diverse and include early threat detection, evidence generation and interpretation, cross-sector coordination, and credible crisis communication. However, the success of these agencies is not solely dependent on technical expertise but also on the governance structures and arrangements within which they operate.

Addressing the Governance Gap

Recognizing the lack of systematic evidence on governance's impact, the WHO and the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research embarked on a multi-country learning program. This initiative examined the governance and structural arrangements of NPHAs across diverse contexts, ranging from autonomous agencies to line ministries and established to newly formed NPHAs.

A cross-country study, involving ten NPHAs, identified three governance models in relation to the Ministry of Health (MOH): MOH-integrated public health units, MOH-overseen NPHAs, and an independent NPHA. Interestingly, the study found that while structural position influenced the agencies' capabilities, it did not solely determine their practical effectiveness.

Key Governance Factors

The study highlighted several critical governance factors linked to emergency preparedness and response (EPR). These included the clarity and enforceability of legal mandates, operational autonomy over staffing and financing, data and evidence accessibility, sharing, and communication arrangements, and financing mechanisms that enable timely action.

Webinar Objectives and Agenda

The webinar aims to achieve three key objectives:

1. Emphasize the significance of governance mechanisms in NPHAs for emergency preparedness and response.
2. Present the findings of the cross-country study and discuss their implications for NPHA reform and strengthening.
3. Identify practical strategies for national leaders, international organizations, and funders to support more effective governance arrangements and translate recent reform lessons into actionable strategies across diverse contexts.

The agenda includes an introduction by EPI-WIN Science and Knowledge Translation, WHO, followed by a welcome and introduction from Kumanan Rasanathan, Executive Director of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director of the Health Emergencies Programme, WHO, will deliver opening remarks on "NPHA Reform and Restructuring to Meet Current and Future Challenges."

An introductory video from Fiji will set the scene, followed by a presentation of the study findings by Lorena Guerrero Torres, Technical Officer at the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, WHO. A panel discussion, moderated by Sara Hersey, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Planning at the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, will bring together country and partner perspectives from different governance models. The panelists include Chioma Dan-Nwafor, Senior Technical Officer at the Southern Africa RCC, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC); Mahendra Arnold, Deputy Director General of Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka; Neil Squires, Secretary General of the International Association of National Public Public Health Institutes (IANPHI); and Youngmee Jee, Former Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDA), Republic of Korea.

The webinar will conclude with a Q&A session, moderated by Sara Hersey and Kumanan Rasanathan, and closing reflections on the implications for national and global actors and future learning, led by Kumanan Rasanathan.

Personal Commentary

As an expert in this field, I believe this webinar is a crucial step towards strengthening the resilience of our public health systems. By delving into the governance aspects of NPHAs, we can identify practical strategies to enhance their effectiveness and, ultimately, better protect public health. The diverse perspectives shared during the panel discussion will undoubtedly offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with different governance models. Personally, I'm particularly interested in exploring how recent reforms can be translated into actionable strategies, ensuring that our public health agencies are well-equipped to meet current and future challenges.