Background
In accordance with the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), and the last amendments to the Regulations that entered into force on 19 September 2025, States Parties are required to develop, strengthen, and maintain core capacities at designated points of entry (PoEs) to manage routine public health events, as well as to respond to public health emergencies.
Conducting regular public health inspections on board ships for the issuance of ship sanitation certificates (SSCs) in accordance with the IHR and the WHO Handbook for Inspection of Ships and Issuance of Ship Sanitation Certificates is crucial for ensuring that ships meet specific health standards, thereby minimizing the risk of the international spread of diseases via maritime traffic. These certificates, mandated by the IHR, require ports to have trained personnel who can identify and control public health risks on board vessels and apply recommended control measures. This standardized global procedure not only ensures compliance with the IHR but also promotes consistency in health practices across ports worldwide.
The WHO Information Network for Epidemics (EPI-WIN) helps communities prepare for and respond to health emergencies. It does so by enabling the sharing of emerging key knowledge and evidence on health emergencies between global experts and the public in a way that is relevant, accessible and actionable. This helps communities, decision makers, and health workers make informed choices and take evidence-informed actions during such emergencies, and helps manage misinformation.
Objectives of the webinar
This webinar series aims to improve the technical capacity of port health officers and public health inspectors across the WHO African, Eastern Mediterranean and European Regions to conduct public health ship inspections and issue ship sanitation certificates, in accordance with the IHR, by sharing key WHO guidance and best practices from selected countries.
In addition, this interactive webinar series will aim to:
- Provide a high-level overview of the IHR legal framework, key WHO guidance on ship inspection and issuance of SSCs, including how to use and update the IHR list of authorized ports
- Clarify policy and technical questions and provide in-depth discussion on complex or commonly misunderstood areas
- Share practical examples, lessons learned, and case studies
- Facilitate peer-to-peer dialogue and experience exchange
Speakers
Day 1
Opening remarks: Dr Stella Chungong, Director, Health Emergency Preparedness Department (HSP), WHO headquarters
Overview of the international legal framework for ship inspections and issuance of ship sanitation certificates: Dr Ninglan Wang, Head, Borders, Mass Gatherings and Health Protection Measures Unit, HSP,
WHO headquarters
WHO IHR list of authorized ports to issue ship sanitation certificates: Ms Sara Barragan Montes, Technical Officer, Border Health and Points of Entry, HSP, WHO headquarters
Country case study: TBC, Country representative
Discussion and Q&A
Pre-inspection planning, equipment, and administrative arrangements: Mr Martin Walker, Independent Points of Entry Specialist / Port Health Officer, London Port Health Authority
Risk assessment and control measures for different vessel types: Dr Barbara Mouchtouri, Professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Director of the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Greece- WHO Collaborating Centre on Points of Entry
Issuance of a ship sanitation certificate and evidence report forms: Dr Yahya Alamese, Manager, The General Directorate of Health for Borders and Coasts of Türkiye
Country case study: TBC, Country representative
Closing remarks: Dr Ninglan Wang, Head, Borders, Mass Gatherings and Health Protection Measures Unit, HSP,
WHO headquarters
Day 2
Recap of the previous day: Ms Yang (Sophia) Song, Mass Gatherings and Health Protection Measures Unit, HSP,
WHO headquarters
Country case study: TBC, Country representative
Food Safety: Dr Yahya Alamese, Manager, The General Directorate of Health for Borders and Coasts of Türkiye
Medical facilities and medical waste: Dr Rachdi Abderrahim, Epidemiologist, Head of Health Control at Border, Tanger Med Port- Tanger Ville Port
Potable water and water sampling: Mr Martin Walker, Independent Points of Entry Specialist / Port Health Officer, London Port Health Authority
Discussion and Q&A
Sewage and solid waste: Dr Barbara Mouchtouri, Professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Director of the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Greece
Vector control on ships: Dr Rachdi Abderrahim, Epidemiologist, Head of Health Control at Border, Tanger Med Port- Tanger Ville Port
Ship inspection findings photo-based exercise: Dr Barbara Mouchtouri, Professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Director of the Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Greece- WHO Collaborating Centre on Points of Entry
Ballast water: Dr Yahya Alamese, Manager, The General Directorate of Health for Borders and Coasts of Türkiye
Discussion and Q&A
Closing remarks: Dr Ninglan Wang, Head, Borders, Mass Gatherings and Health Protection Measures Unit, HSP,
WHO headquarters
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