NITI Ayog suggests separate legislation, fund for future pandemic

A report by an expert group set up by NITI Aayog report titled ‘Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response —A Framework for Action’ has recommended a separate legislation called Public Health Emergency Management Act, strengthening India’s research ecosystem, dedicated preparatory funds among others to handle disease outbreaks and pandemics.

This report provides an action plan for a 100-day response to any outbreak or pandemic. It outlines the detailed roadmap for preparedness and implementation, indicating the steps on how the outbreak can be tracked, tested, treated and managed through a well-developed framework.

The report has also recommended a structure that integrates and strengthens all existing components and builds the required components to deliver the outputs that meet the targets of a 100-day response mission.

“A separate Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) is proposed to facilitate the management of any public health crisis. The PHEMA can address various aspects beyond epidemics, including non-communicable diseases, disasters, and bio-terrorism, and should be in place for a developed country,” it said.

It will allow a holistic approach to health management, covering prevention, control, and disaster response, the report added. The Act would also provide for the creation of skilled public health cadres at national and state levels,” it said.

The report proposed that an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) chaired by the Cabinet Secretary be established for Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response, and a well-oiled machinery is put into action, which prepares and readies itself before any emergency. “A well-structured scorecard mechanism should regularly monitor the progress of key targets,” the report said.Among several other preventive measures, the report also noted that the regulatory authority (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) needs special powers through legislation and requires technical competence strengthening and autonomy in functioning to meet these requirements.