IHR Core Checklist

14 items · Health · Medium difficulty · 30 min

Practical checklist to track IHR (2005) core capacity progress in your country.

• Review national IHR legislation and policies

  Confirm laws allow timely detection, reporting and response to public health events.

• Set up a national IHR coordination team

  Designate a lead authority and clear roles across ministries and sectors.

• Map key stakeholders and partner responsibilities

  List agencies, labs, hospitals and private partners with contact details.

• Develop an IHR implementation plan with timelines

  Set measurable targets, resources needed, and review dates.

• Establish a system for routine event surveillance

  Create clear reporting lines and standard case definitions for priority hazards.

• Train staff on case detection and reporting procedures

  Include frontline workers and laboratory reporters in refresher training.

• Strengthen laboratory diagnostic capacity

  Ensure labs can test for priority pathogens or have referral links.

• Ensure safe specimen transport and lab biosafety

  Set protocols for packaging, transport and lab safety practices.

• Conduct workforce capacity assessments

  Identify staffing gaps and plan training or recruitment.

• Develop and test an emergency response plan

  Include activation criteria, roles, and coordination with partners.

• Run at least one multisectoral simulation exercise yearly

  Use scenarios to test response, logistics and communication.

• Set up risk communication channels with the public

  Prepare clear messages and multiple delivery channels for alerts.

• Ensure points of entry have basic health measures

  Confirm screening, referral and isolation procedures at borders and ports.

• Monitor and report progress using agreed indicators

  Collect data regularly, review gaps and update the implementation plan.

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