BMJ, one of the world’s leading medical knowledge providers, is participating in the BWC MX1 Meeting of Experts on Cooperation and Assistance, with a Particular Focus on Strengthening Cooperation and Assistance under Article X - from 29 to 30 July 2019, at the Palais des Nations as a guest of the Chair of MX1, His Excellency Ambassador Victor Dolidze of Georgia.

Mitali Wroczynski, Head of Strategic Partnerships for Global Health and Global Health Security, is presenting BMJ’s award-winning* Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Training Initiative which directly supports international cooperation to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks, whether naturally occurring, accidental or deliberate, contributing to Article VII and Article X of the Biological Weapons Convention. 

The initiative is a novel approach to pandemic preparedness, biosecurity, and disease surveillance that simultaneously strengthens health systems and improves the detection, diagnosis and management of infectious diseases at the frontline. 

BMJ Head of Strategic Partnerships, Global Health and Global Health Security, Mitali Wroczynski said: “We should anticipate a major outbreak within our lifetime. Cross-border collaboration and international cooperation are vital for tackling new and emerging infectious disease threats, whether naturally occurring, accidental or deliberate. BMJ is uniquely placed to partner with BWC States Parties to support prevention and response measures to tackle infectious disease outbreaks.”

Further to the Meeting of Experts, on Wednesday 7 August, BMJ’s Clinical Director, Dr. Kieran Walsh will lead a workshop exploring how States Parties, individually or collectively, might implement a capacity building programme to contribute to the strengthening of international response capabilities for infectious disease outbreaks, whether natural or deliberate in origin.

The workshop features guest speakers: Dr Nabil Seyidov, Deputy Head of Department for Health Policy and Planning, Public Health and Reforms Center, Ministry of Health, Azerbaijan, and Dr Oleksandr Linchevskyy, Deputy Minister of Health, Ukraine, who will be presenting the impact the Initiative has had in their respective countries. The Initiative has trained over 8,700 doctors in Ukraine and 2,600 doctors in Azerbaijan.

BMJ Clinical Director, Dr Kieran Walsh, said: “The main strength of any health system is its healthcare professionals. Health systems around the world fall behind because proven information doesn’t reach healthcare professionals fast enough. BMJ’s initiative strengthens health systems by equipping frontline healthcare professionals with evidence-based knowledge tools and resources.”  

Since the inception of BMJ’s CDS Training Initiative in 2016, it has been successfully implemented in six countries, reaching over 18,000 doctors in more than 1,400 medical institutions. 

[Ends]

Notes to editors:

About BMJ
BMJ is a global healthcare knowledge provider with a vision for a healthier world. We work to transform health outcomes and partner with diverse international organisations to deliver results. We address global health and health security priorities in four ways: building an evidence base, strengthening health systems, convening people and sharing knowledge. bmj.com/company/global-health

BMJ Best Practice is an online decision support tool that gives doctors fast and easy access to the latest information when making diagnosis and treatment decisions. Updated daily, it draws on the latest evidence-based research, guidelines and expert opinion to offer step-by-step guidance on diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention.

BMJ Learning is an online learning resource that offers healthcare professionals a fast and efficient way to test their knowledge and keep up to date with the latest developments in medicine. It features hundreds of evidence-based, peer-reviewed learning modules across 70 specialty areas.

*In November 2018, BMJ’s CDS Training Initiative won the Geneva Centre for Security Policy’s (GCSP) Prize for Innovation in Global Security.

Live stream link: http://webtv.un.org/live-now/watch/biological-weapons-convention-meetings-of-experts-2019/5708657554001

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BMJ is a global healthcare knowledge provider with a vision for a healthier world. We share knowledge and expertise to improve healthcare outcomes. Explore our products and resources at bmj.com/company