NIH hosts tabletop exercise to enhance mass gathering preparedness

ISLAMABAD: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) hosted a two-day Tabletop Exercise (TTX), focusing on strengthening preparedness and response for mass gatherings. The workshop aimed to improve Command, Control, and Communication (C3) capabilities for effective public health emergency management, according to a press release issued here.

Representatives from national and provincial ministries, including MOFA, NDMA, EPA, NARC, SPD, DESTO, academia, and development partners attended the event. The TTX was organized with support from the Center of Excellence (CoE) Project 87: PRECA Preparedness and Response for Mass Gatherings and Other Health Threats in Central Asia.

Dr Muhammad Salman, CEO of NIH, emphasized the importance of mass gathering preparedness aligned with the International Health Regulations (IHR) monitoring and evaluation framework. Dr. Faheem Tahir, National Focal Person for CBRN in Pakistan, highlighted the critical role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in capacity building for public health emergency response.

The TTX focused on identifying best practices, improvement opportunities, and shared learning experiences through simulated scenarios. Discussions covered mass gathering preparedness plans, risk assessments, intelligence and security information assessment, response effectiveness, expert advice, internal communication, and communication of major incidents.

This collaborative exercise will enhance public health preparedness and response for mass gatherings in Pakistan.