By Rose Palacio

Davao City (21 January) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed draft guidelines to help countries like the Philippines in assessing national health preparedness and response to the deliberate use of biological and chemical agents.

The WHO guidelines will be field-tested this year in the Philippines, Moldavia, and an African country. Last year, Thailand, Jordan and Canada were field-tested.

Health Emergency Management Staff chief Dr. Carmencita Banatin of the Department of Health (DOH) said the primary objective of the draft guidelines is to assist the Philippines in general and the Department of Health (DOH) in particular in reviewing and ultimately strengthening its existing preparedness, mitigation and response programs for the deliberate use of biological and chemical agents.

The output of the assessment process will consist of a report which will include a gap analysis and a plan of work with an agreed timetable and outputs for the implementation and monitoring of the capacity building activities.

On February 5-22, assessment teams led by WHO staff from Geneva will be conducting related activities in the Philippines.

An opening ceremony will be held on February 10, 2005 at the Grand Regal hotel, Davao City at 8:00 a.m. A two-day workshop slated February 10-11, 2005 will be held at the same venue and will be participated in by different government agencies and other sectors involved in the use of biological and chemical agents.