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Directorates

Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate

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 Overview

 

Epidemiological Surveillance is the first and most important step in early warning systems for diseases and epidemics. It is crucial to follow a systematic approach for surveillance and monitoring as this plays a pivotal role in the rapid assessment of epidemic outbreaks, and would support effective response to events that pose a threat to public health. By providing timely and accurate information decision-makers will be equipped to take proper response measures to the epidemiological situation. Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate in Jordan Center for Disease Control (JCDC) will work on achieving organized, continuous and nationally representative surveillance data. The instructions for health surveillance and reporting of epidemics and communicable diseases for the year 2022 were issued in accordance with paragraph (d) of Article (14) of Jordan Center for Diseases Control No. (112) for the year 2020, approved by the Center's Board in its third meeting on 29/3/2022 under Resolution No. (1/3) for the year 2022. The Epidemiological Surveillance Directorate is responsible for collecting and analyzing data on the occurrence and spread of diseases in the surrounding environment in order to plan and implement health programs, identify needs and priorities, advocate to take the necessary actions in a timely manner and disseminate the results and outputs to stakeholders and decision-makers.

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  Goals and Objectives

 

  Early detection of epidemics to support in preventing and combating diseases in early stages.

 Prioritizing areas that need support to aim in planning to combat epidemics and health problems.

  Identify population and geographic areas most at risk and identify the risk factors responsible for the occurrence of diseases, epidemics and deaths.

  Recognize and identify the trends and patterns of diseases and health-related problems to be used in proper planning for the provision of appropriate health services.

Evaluate work procedures with the relevant authorities through performance indicators set for this purpose to achieve the objectives of the Center.

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  Tasks and Duties

 

  Strengthening the capabilities of health surveillance in Jordan with the aim of applying measures to prevent and control communicable diseases and epidemics.

  Continues monitoring of epidemics, communicable diseases and environmental health threats at the local, regional and global levels in cooperation with the relevant authorities.

  Leading health efforts for preventing and combating epidemics, communicable diseases and disabilities resulting from them in accordance with international standards and recommendations of international health bodies, including the World Health Organization.

  Study the characteristics, nature and causes of communicable diseases that fall within the scope of the Directorate's competence.

  Develop plans and programs to combat and contain communicable diseases that fall within the scope of the Directorate's competence.

  Submit proposals and conducting scientific research and studies including those related to zoonotic diseases and cooperating with local and international bodies and organizations.

  Oversee the development and implementation of antimicrobial resistance strategies and coordinate the monitoring and linkage initiatives with scientific initiatives.

 Detect, assess and respond to new and emerging health threats.

  Promote healthy behaviors, communities, a safe environment.

  Participate in the development of national health policies and strategies.

  Provide technical support, diagnostic and reference services, and scientific advice to individuals, society and health institutions within the services provided by the center.

  Monitor, analyze and archive data and statistics from National Register of Communicable Diseases and ensure the quality of data.

 Linking with hospitals and health clinics to identify cases of diseases that fall within the scope of the directorate's competence in cooperation with the Information Technology Department.

  Study human and animal influenza viruses including genetic sequencing to better understand the characteristics of these viruses.

  Prioritize diseases to be studied (in terms of the likelihood of transmission from animals to humans, the seriousness of the disease, etc.).

  Study and assess the risks posed by influenza viruses that are currently circulating in animals if they become transmitted to humans to form a potential pandemic.

  Establish cooperating with international and local specialized expertise, bodies and organizations and participating in activities, programs, seminars and conferences in the field of work of the Directorate.

  Follow up and support the improvement of vaccination coverage levels in the Kingdom and provide trainings and awareness in this regard.

  Conducting studies and research to find vaccines for emerging communicable diseases.

  Continuous communication with international expertise in the field of work of the Directorate, and participation in activities, programs, seminars and conferences related to the work of the Directorate.

  Preparing, training and developing the expertise of workers in health monitoring systems in the relevant authorities as much as possible.

  Collecting and analyzing data on the incidence and spread of diseases in the surrounding environment in order to plan and implement health programs, identify needs and priorities, take the necessary actions in a timely manner and disseminate the results and outputs to stakeholders and decision-makers.

 Coordinate with departments, ministries and concerned authorities to implement health programs and policies related to epidemics, communicable diseases and environmental health threats in the Kingdom.

 Monitor and evaluate health surveillance programs, assess efficiency in achieving the desired goals, and work to develop and update them in accordance with local and international guidelines

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