June 14, 2023

HSP, ABM-Pakistan and the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Host Workshop

HSP, ABM-Pakistan and the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Host Workshop to Develop Regional Guidelines for Collecting and Transporting Priority Pathogen Samples Under a joint initiative, Health Security Partners (HSP), the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), the Association for Biorisk Management, Pakistan Academy of Science (PAS), and the National Institute of Health (NIH) Pakistan hosted a workshop in Islamabad from May 30-to June 1, 2023. The workshop focused on reviewing draft Regional Guidelines for Collecting and Transporting Priority Pathogens in the Punjab Province. Bringing together more than 35 policymakers, researchers, veterinarians, wildlife biologists, and medical professionals, these collaborative efforts aimed to review draft guidelines developed by local and international experts, identify knowledge gaps, and promote best practices in critical biorisk management. This initiative highlights a strong commitment to strengthening biosecurity frameworks and ensuring the safe handling and transport of priority pathogens samples in Pakistan. Through interactive sessions with local and international subject matter experts, plenary discussions and group work the participants recommended next steps and best practices for finalizing the guidelines to promote the safe and secure collection and transportation of priority pathogen samples.