THE CONTEXT: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NITI Aayog has proposed a comprehensive framework to enhance India’s preparedness for future public health emergencies. The NITI Aayog’s report “Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response: A Framework for Action” outlines a comprehensive strategy to bolster India’s readiness for future public health crises. The expert group’s recommendations aim to address gaps in existing systems and create a robust, responsive infrastructure for pandemic management.
NITI AAYOG’S FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS
- Background: Four years after the outbreak of COVID-19, NITI Aayog has taken a proactive step to address future public health emergencies. This initiative recognizes that COVID-19 is “undoubtedly not the last pandemic” and that new, potentially large-scale infectious threats to human health are inevitable due to changing planetary ecology, climate, and human-animal-plant dynamics.
- Expert Group Constituted by NITI Aayog: In June 2023, NITI Aayog formed an expert group to respond to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. This group, headed by Dr. Renu Swarup, former Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, was tasked with developing a comprehensive pandemic preparedness and emergency response framework.
- Report: ‘Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response: A Framework for Action’
The report was officially published on September 11, 2024, marking a significant milestone in India’s public health emergency management approach. Its publication four years after the initial COVID-19 outbreak reflects a thoughtful analysis of the pandemic’s impact and the lessons learned from it.
The primary objective of this framework is to ensure a robust and efficient response to future public health emergencies or pandemics. Key recommendations include:
- Enactment of a new Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA).
- Creating an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) for emergency preparedness.
- Strengthening of disease surveillance networks.
- Establishment of early warning systems and research networks.
- Development of an independent drug regulatory mechanism.
THE KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:
Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA): The proposed PHEMA aims to address the shortcomings of existing legislation, particularly the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 and the National Disaster Management Act of 2005. Its key features include:
- Comprehensive Definitions: PHEMA will provide clear definitions for terms such as “dangerous,” “infectious,” “contagious diseases,” and “epidemic,” which were absent in previous laws.
- Enhanced Provisions: The act will include specific provisions for disseminating drugs and vaccines and outline quarantine measures and other preventive steps.
- Empowerment: PHEMA will grant central and state governments the authority to respond effectively to various health emergencies, including those arising from non-communicable diseases, disasters, or bioterrorism.
Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS): The EGoS, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, will play a crucial role in pandemic preparedness and response. Its functions include:
- Emergency Preparedness: Developing and maintaining readiness for public health emergencies during peacetime.
- Continuous Monitoring: Overseeing the state of preparedness across various sectors and agencies.
- Comprehensive Guidance: This includes directing critical aspects such as governance, finance, R&D, surveillance, partnerships, and collaborations.
- SOP Development: Creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for pandemic response, ensuring a standardized and efficient approach.
Strengthened Disease Surveillance: The framework emphasizes the importance of robust surveillance systems:
- National Network: Establishment of a national biosecurity and biosafety network, integrating leading research institutions, biosafety containment facilities, and genome sequencing centers.
- Zoonotic Focus: Implementing constant monitoring of human-bat interfaces, given the role of bats in several recent epidemics and pandemics.
- Vaccine Preparedness: Setting up an emergency vaccine bank to ensure rapid vaccine access during outbreaks.
Early Warning and Research Network: To enhance predictive capabilities and research, the framework recommends:
- Forecasting Network: Creating an epidemiology forecasting and modelling network to predict disease transmission dynamics and evaluate countermeasures.
- Research Hubs: Establishing a Centres of Excellence (CoE) network focused on priority pathogens.
- Proactive Development: Advancing the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for potential threat pathogens identified by the WHO.
Independent Drug Regulator: To streamline drug approval processes during emergencies:
- Clinical Trial Network: Developing a well-established clinical trial network recognized by international regulatory authorities.
- CDSCO Independence: Granting autonomy to the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) and equipping it with special powers to expedite approvals during health emergencies.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Participation in Global Initiatives: Actively engage in international forums like the WHO’s Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Initiative.
- Data Sharing: Establish protocols for rapid and transparent epidemiological and genomic data sharing with global partners.
- Joint Research Programs: Collaborate with international institutions on vaccine development, therapeutic research, and epidemiological studies.
- Cross-border Preparedness: Develop regional cooperation frameworks, especially with neighboring countries, for coordinated response to outbreaks.
- Support for Low and Middle-Income Countries: Contribute to global efforts in building pandemic preparedness capacities in resource-limited settings.
- Annual Audits: Conduct yearly assessments of the preparedness framework, identifying gaps and areas for improvement.
- Simulation Exercises: Regularly organize mock drills and tabletop exercises to test the response mechanisms.
THE CONCLUSION:
The proposed framework represents a significant step towards building India’s resilient public health system. Its successful implementation, regular reviews, and international collaboration will be crucial in safeguarding the nation against future pandemics and health crises.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management to the pandemic. 2020
Q.2 What is the basic(principle behind vaccine development ? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines? 2022
Q.3 Indian Constitution exhibits centralising tendencies to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and recently passed Farm Acts. 2020
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Discuss the significance of the proposed Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) in India’s experience with COVID-19. How does it aim to overcome the limitations of existing legislation in dealing with public health crises?
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