Global health security (GHS) is the existence of strong and resilient public health systems that can prevent, detect, and respond to emerging infectious disease threats, wherever they occur in the world. Since the start of the 21st century, infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics have increased both in severity and frequency. The vast majority – 75% – of emerging infectious disease threats originate from animals, at a time when an increasing number of people around the world are living in closer proximity to animals due to deforestation, land use change, climate change, and a variety of other factors. Across Uganda and around the world, millions of people have lost their lives and livelihood because the world lack capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to COVID-19 and other emerging infectious disease threats.

Designed to help countries meet their commitments under the International Health Regulations, the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) is a worldwide effort to strengthen countries’ public health capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. Today, IDI is partnering with 13 countries to reach the goals of the GHSA.

In a world where diseases can spread faster and more unpredictably than ever before, GHSA sets out clear, attainable, and measurable targets for countries to improve their public health systems and better prepare against outbreaks.

To measure countries’ progress towards meeting GHSA goals, IDI and its partners is implementing the US Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE). The JEE is a voluntary evaluation process that gives countries a starting point for improving their health security by identifying their strengths and pointing out the most urgent needs within their health systems. This transparent, external evaluation process encourages countries to share vital information with each other and work together towards a safer, healthier world.

Building global health security can’t be accomplished alone. We work closely with key IDI programmes, government ministries, departments and agencies and partners to accomplish global health security goals.