WHO EPI-WIN webinar: ship inspection and issuance of ship sanitation certificates
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
Dr Stella Chungong, Director, Health Emergency Preparedness Department (HSP), WHO headquarters
Dr Ninglan Wang, Head, Borders, Mass Gatherings and Health Protection Measures Unit, HSP,
WHO headquarters
Ms Sara Barragan Montes, Technical Officer, Border Health and Points of Entry, HSP, WHO headquarters
Mr Martin Walker, Independent Points of Entry Specialist / Port Health Officer, London Port Health Authority
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
Dr Yahya Alamese, Manager, The General Directorate of Health for Borders and Coasts of Türkiye
Dr Rachdi Abderrahim, Epidemiologist, Head of Health Control at Border, Tanger Med Port- Tanger Ville Port, Morocco
Country Case Studies:
Mr Thijs Veenstra, Senior policy adviser, Coordinator infection prevention & Points of Entry, National Institute for Public health and the Environment, Netherlands
Dr Layla Bouziani, Health officer, Tanger-Med Port, Morocco
Tanzania MoH representative to be confirmed
Source Who
11-12 şubat 2026 tarihinde
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