Corona is not the last pandemic… There is a possibility of a large scale infectious threat, expert told the way to deal with it

New Delhi : In any public health emergency, the first 100 days are very critical, in which action has to be taken with immediate effect. The stronger the emergency response system, the better any epidemic can be dealt with. In view of the lessons and experiences from Covid-19, NITI Aayog had formed a group of experts to prepare ‘Preparation and emergency response for future epidemics – a framework for action’. This group has given its recommendations to the government.

From surveillance systems to data management

Recommendations have been made on all aspects such as rapid testing in the first 100 days of the pandemic, strong surveillance system, data management, finance and management, forecasting and modelling, innovation research ecosystem. Experts have stressed the need to create a new Public Health Emergency Act and said that changes in the law are necessary because Covid is not the last pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the world that 75 percent of future public health threats are likely to be zoonotic threats (which may be caused by emerging, re-emerging and new pathogens).

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The group of experts has advocated the Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response (PPER) framework, saying that there should be a separate Public Health Emergency Management Act, which also covers issues such as non-communicable diseases, disasters and bioterrorism. This Act will emphasize adopting a holistic approach to health management, covering epidemic prevention, control and disaster response.

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The Act should also provide for the creation of a skilled public health cadre at the national and state levels. The report recommends that an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGOS) headed by the Cabinet Secretary should be set up for epidemic preparedness and emergency response, and a well-organised machinery should be put into action to prepare itself before any emergency.

Massive infectious hazards

The report states that the COVID-19 infection is of course not the last pandemic. Given the planet’s changing ecology, climate and human-animal-plant dynamics, new potential, large-scale infectious threats to human health are likely. In view of this, NITI Aayog formed an expert group to prepare an action framework for future pandemic preparedness and emergency response.

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The group looked at how COVID-19 was managed at the national and global levels, drew key learnings from both success stories and challenges faced, assessed key gaps, and made recommendations for effectively preparing for and responding to any future public health crises.

100 day response mission

Learning from the experience of COVID-19, experts felt that responding in the first 100 days of the outbreak is important for effective management. It is necessary to prepare strategies. This report focuses on preparing a 100-day roadmap to deal with any epidemic. Suggestions to meet the target of 100-day response mission-

• Governance, changes in laws, better finance and management
• Data management, monitoring and early warning, forecasting and modelling,
• Research and innovation, focus on manufacturing sector, infrastructure, capacity building/skills
• Partnerships, private sector involvement and international collaboration