WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and Pan American Health Organization sign agreement to strengthen hospital resilience

February 25, 2026 - 09:29

A landmark agreement has been signed to fortify healthcare systems against future crises. The World Health Organization's Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have formalized a collaborative pact aimed at significantly boosting hospital resilience across their respective regions.

The Memorandum of Arrangement, signed in Cairo, establishes a strategic framework for knowledge exchange and joint action. The primary focus will be on enhancing hospital preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies, including disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and conflicts. This partnership will leverage experiences and best practices from both sides of the Atlantic to build more robust health infrastructures.

Key areas of cooperation include developing and implementing standardized tools for hospital readiness assessments, strengthening triage and patient management during mass casualty events, and improving the continuity of essential health services under extreme pressure. The initiative recognizes that resilient hospitals are the cornerstone of effective emergency response and are critical to saving lives when disasters strike.

Officials from both organizations emphasized that this cross-regional alliance is a proactive step toward safeguarding public health. By pooling expertise and resources, EMRO and PAHO aim to create a higher, more uniform standard of care and protection for populations in the Americas and the Eastern Mediterranean, ensuring that health facilities remain functional and effective in the face of any threat.