Framework for Future Pandemic Preparedness Suggested by Niti Aayog Expert Group

An expert group formed by Niti Aayog has recommended enacting a separate Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) to better manage public health crises. They stress the importance of preparedness within the first 100 days of an outbreak, propose creating dedicated health cadres, and highlight the need for a robust surveillance network.

An expert group constituted by Niti Aayog has put forward a framework aimed at enhancing future pandemic preparedness, recommending the enactment of separate legislation to tackle public health crises.

In a comprehensive report titled 'Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response - A Framework for Action', the group emphasized that actions taken within the first 100 days of an outbreak are crucial for effective management. The proposed Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) would cover various aspects beyond epidemics, such as non-communicable diseases and disasters.

The report outlines a holistic approach to health management, spanning prevention, control, and disaster response, and calls for the creation of skilled public health cadres at both national and state levels. Other key recommendations include the establishment of an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) for pandemic preparedness, a well-structured scorecard mechanism for monitoring progress, and a robust surveillance network linking epidemiological, genomic, and clinical data.

(With inputs from agencies.)