Prof. Moi Meng Ling dispatched as IAEA expert in a mission to Oman
Prof. Moi Meng Ling, Department of Developmental Medical Sciences, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, traveled to Muscat, Oman as an IAEA expert from June 2-6, 2024 for on-site observations and meetings to review and support the development and establishment of an Integrated Viral Disease Monitoring and Surveillance Program.
Previously, on 20 November 2023, with the support of IAEA, the government of Oman sent a team of experts for a 2-week technical visitation to the University of Tokyo, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine and major public and animal health facilities in Japan, to observe firsthand surveillance programs and activities to support the establishment of the Program.
IAEA is the world’s foremost forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology, contributing to international peace and security and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following IAEA’s COVID-19 response, the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) is being promoted to further strengthen the preparedness and capability of Member States to rapidly detect and timely respond to disease outbreaks.
As part of ZODIAC, Moi, together with the IAEA expert team, conducted observations and site visits at the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAWF), and public and animal health research institutions at respective ministries.
The mission report summarizes the findings from the technical visits and roundtable discussions between the government of Oman experts and the IAEA mission team.
Mission Goals & Output:
Previously, on 20 November 2023, with the support of IAEA, the government of Oman sent a team of experts for a 2-week technical visitation to the University of Tokyo, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine and major public and animal health facilities in Japan, to observe firsthand surveillance programs and activities to support the establishment of the Program.
IAEA is the world’s foremost forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology, contributing to international peace and security and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following IAEA’s COVID-19 response, the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action (ZODIAC) is being promoted to further strengthen the preparedness and capability of Member States to rapidly detect and timely respond to disease outbreaks.
As part of ZODIAC, Moi, together with the IAEA expert team, conducted observations and site visits at the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources (MoAWF), and public and animal health research institutions at respective ministries.
The mission report summarizes the findings from the technical visits and roundtable discussions between the government of Oman experts and the IAEA mission team.
Mission Goals & Output:
- Site visitations at Oman MoH, MoAWF, health institutions and research facilities, discussions with MoH Undersecretary of Health Affairs, MoAWF Undersecretary, MoH Director General of Center for Disease Control and Prevention and experts in Oman to witness their strengths and challenges.
- Provision of a set of recommendations to major stakeholders in Oman, with a cross-sectoral steering committee and task force, to foster and strengthen cross-sector involvement for sustainable efforts in viral disease surveillance for human and animal health.
- Proposal of cross-sectoral committee to further develop recommendations and coordinate to formalize framework at highest level of decision-making.
- The mission is expected to support an IAEA member state, the Sultanate of Oman, for the development and establishment of an Integrated Viral Disease Monitoring and Surveillance Program.
