Tegucigalpa, March 13, 2026 (PAHO/WHO) — Honduras continues to strengthen its preparedness for public health emergencies through the State Party Self-Assessment Annual Reporting (SPAR) process, a key component of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) that enables the country to translate evidence into strategic decisions and concrete action.
This process builds directly on the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) conducted in 2025, a milestone that positioned Honduras among the countries in the Region that voluntarily and transparently underwent a rigorous international assessment of their capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.
From External Evaluation to Government Action
The SPAR assessment builds on the findings and recommendations of the 2025 JEE and incorporates them into a participatory national self-assessment process led by the Ministry of Health and involving multiple government sectors.
SPAR has become an important governance tool, enabling the country to establish priorities, align institutions, and guide investments based on evidence. The process strengthens IHR core capacities in critical areas such as surveillance, laboratory systems, human resources, emergency management, risk communication, and points of entry.
This stepwise approach—external evaluation, self-assessment, and planning—strengthens the State’s ability to anticipate health risks, respond in a coordinated manner, and protect the population from events with epidemic or pandemic potential.
The Pandemic Fund: Turning Evidence into Action
The SPAR assessment is being conducted within the framework of the Pandemic Fund Project, whose financial and technical support has been instrumental in helping Honduras move from identifying gaps to implementing solutions.
The Pandemic Fund serves as a strategic catalyst, ensuring that recommendations emerging from the IHR Joint External Evaluation do not remain as diagnostic findings but are translated into plans, strengthened capacities, and measurable results. This support reinforces the sustainability of national efforts and accelerates the country’s preparedness for emerging health threats.
Contributing to Health Security Across the Americas
With technical support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Honduras is advancing a process that not only strengthens its national health system but also contributes to regional and global health security.
By moving consistently from assessment to action, the country is sending a clear message to the international community: Honduras is investing in measurable capacities, multisectoral leadership, and evidence-based decision-making in line with the commitments of the International Health Regulations and the protection of the health of populations across the Americas.
