GENERAL INFORMATION
This is the first of a series of information bulletins that will be issued between now and the opening of the meeting.
1. Background information
Health-care-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant global challenge, impacting patient safety, increasing morbidity and mortality, and straining health-care systems financially. Effective infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are essential to reduce HAIs, improve care quality and ensure patient safety by minimizing the risk of complications. Furthermore, IPC plays a critical role in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by preventing infections that lead to unnecessary antibiotic use.
Recent data highlight concerning gaps in IPC programmes. As of 2023, 11% of countries in the world lacked an IPC plan, and only 34% had fully implemented national programmes. HAI surveillance remains particularly weak, with only 43% of countries globally having functional systems. In the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region, countries have made slow progress in HAI surveillance, underscoring the need for robust systems.
This workshop will focus on enhancing IPC and HAI surveillance at both the national and facility levels in Member States in the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions, including those that are part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Attendees will review the current country benchmarks and develop actionable recommendations that align efforts with the Global Action Plan and Monitoring Framework on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), 2024−2030. These initiatives are vital for reducing HAIs, building capacity to combat AMR, and ultimately improving quality of care and patient safety. This meeting will also enable the formulation of a cross-regional network for continuous learning and collaborations.
Ahead of the workshop, WHO will conduct an online assessment to evaluate countries’ progress and performance in implementing and aligning with the Global Action Plan and assess their HAI readiness at national and health-care facility levels.
2. Objectives
The objectives of the meeting are:
(1) to develop evidence-based priority actions into national plans to strengthen IPC and HAI surveillance at all levels, through tailored, actionable strategies aligned with the WHO Global Action Plan and Monitoring Framework on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), 2024–2030;
(2) to develop practical and measurable regional actions that integrate country and regional priorities while benchmarking results, guiding efforts towards achieving the 2030 IPC global targets; and
(3) to establish a learning network that fosters cross-country collaboration, experience-sharing and capacity-building to advance IPC and HAI initiatives.
3. Dates and site
The meeting will be held from 16 to 18 September 2025 in Manila, Philippines.
The meeting will run from 08:30 (Manila time) to 17:15 (Manila time), with 30-minute breaks during each period.
4. Language
English only
5. Participants and Temporary Advisers
Participants are directors or senior managers of maternal and child health departments or national centres for maternal and child health, focal points for newborn health, and managers or senior technical staff responsible for pre-service education and curricula.
Temporary advisers are members of the Independent Review Group on Validation of Early Essential Newborn Care Progress to support the countries in implementing the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of EENC implementation.
6. Hotel accommodation (for those attending in-person)
In-person attendees will be accommodated at the:
Diamond Hotel Philippines
Roxas Boulevard corner
Dr J. Quintos Street, Manila
Tel. (632) 8-528-3000
Website: https://diamondhotel.com
WHO will also provide lunch and snacks for the duration of the meeting.
8. Visa
All travellers attending in person are responsible for having in their possession a passport valid at least six months from arrival date in the Philippines and valid return tickets to the original port of origin or next port of destination for not more than 30 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines.
A list of nationalities allowed entry visa free or visa on arrival can be found at: https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa.
Citizens of China should apply to the diplomatic representation of the Philippines abroad for a visa.
Other participants are permitted to stay in the Philippines for 30 days without a visa provided they are holding onward/return air tickets.
Filipino and foreign travellers to the Philippines are required to complete an eTravel registration (https://etravel.gov.ph) within 72 hours prior to arrival or departure from the Philippines.
Please send an email to faigaor@who.int if you will require a Visa Support letter
9. Insurance (for all attendees travelling to Manila to attend the meeting in person)
WHO does not provide insurance coverage for participants, representatives/observers, or their belongings. They are expected to make their arrangements for accident, illness and luggage insurance if so desired.
Temporary advisers will be covered by accident insurance throughout the period of their attendance and during authorized travel time.
10. Daily allowance, currency and rate of exchange
WHO funded‑ participants and temporary advisers will be paid a reduced daily subsistence allowance based on the per diem rate in Manila at the time of the meeting which is currently USD 316. The cost covered by WHO for accommodation, breakfast and lunch will be deducted from the per diem.
Temporary advisers and participants residing within commuting distance of the meeting venue, and representatives/observers, do not receive per diem.
The monetary unit in the Philippines is the Philippine peso. The exchange rate is currently PHP 55.938 to USD 1.00 (subject to change).
11. Airport tax
No airport tax is levied on passengers upon embarkation at the airport.
12. Documents for the meeting
To promote the green initiative, the meeting will be paperless and all documents before, during and after the meeting will be uploaded to the Indico meeting site:
13. Contact information
All correspondence to the meeting Secretariat should be addressed to:
|
Dr Zhao Li |
For administrative matters: Ms Ruth Irene Faigao |
14. Other useful information
14.1 Banking facilities
Banks are usually open to the public from 09:30 to 15:00, Mondays to Thursdays and 09:30 to 16:00 on Fridays.
Foreign exchange counters are available at the arrival areas of the airport:
Terminal 1 (08:30-01:00)
Terminal 2 (03:00-24:00)
Terminal 3 (08:00-19:00)
Please always bring your passport to avail of foreign exchange service.
14.2 Climate
The average temperature ranges from 26°C to 32°C. Business suits are generally worn during meetings or on formal occasions.
14.3 Postal, email and fax no.
Participants may use the following address for personal mail for the duration of the consultation:
[name of participant]
[attending the Fourth Biennial Meeting on Regional Progress in Early Essential Newborn Care Implementation: Ensuring Institutionalization and Sustainability of EENC through Pre-service Education and Routine Monitoring of Quality of Care]
c/o Dr Shogo Kubota
Coordinator
Maternal Child Health and Quality Safety
Division of Health Systems and Services
WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Tel. No.: (632) 8528 9097
Fax No.: (632) 8521 1036
Email: kubotas@who.int
14.4 WHO's no smoking policy
WHO has a policy of no smoking for all WHO meetings and associated functions.
14.5 WHO's alcohol-free policy
WHO prohibits the offering of alcoholic beverages at events organized and
co-organized by the Regional and country offices.
14.6 WHO’s policy on prevention of sexual misconduct and harassment
WHO has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment and sexual misconduct at any WHO event or WHO premises. The Organization is committed to enabling events in which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment. All participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards each other and everyone involved in this event. If a participant has a concern, please speak to Dr Kubota or Ms Cheng of the organizing committee. Reports or complaints can also be made to the WHO Office of Internal Oversight Services at investigation@who.int. WHO also has a
zero-tolerance policy for inaction in these cases, so all concerns will be handled conscientiously and confidentially.
For more information, please scan the QR code.
14.7 Photography consent
By attending this meeting, you give your consent to the following statement regarding the WHO policy on photography for consultation participants.
“I acknowledge that WHO and/or its representatives may take photographs and/or video footage of all or part of the event in which participants may be depicted. I agree that WHO may reproduce any of these photographs and/or video footage on any of its websites and/or other materials or authorized third parties to do the same.”
If you request that your image not be used, please inform us by email as soon as possible. Otherwise, your consent is considered granted.
