Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what plans her Department has to train overseas port health officers to UK standards.

The International Health Regulations (IHRs) (2005), agreed by all WHO member states, include the standards required for port health authorities internationally. WHO has oversight of IHR assessment and capacity building. The UK Government, through the WHO, assists countries to carry out assessments and implement the IHRs. As part of this, the UK deploys (a) subject matter experts to support WHO monitoring of IHR capacity in 20 low and middle-income countries, including in points of entry such as ports, and (b) implements programmes to strengthen IHR capabilities in five countries in Africa and Asia, plus the UK Overseas Territories.