Pakistan Joins Forces with International Organizations to Strengthen Pandemic Preparedness

Strategic Insights -

The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO) have joined forces with the Government of Pakistan to implement the country's Pandemic Fund, with a focus on strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities. The national consultation, led by the Ministry of Health, marked the first activity of an initiative funded by the Pandemic Fund to apply lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen One Health coordination. The Pandemic Fund strategy emphasizes the One Health approach, recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health to tackle complex health threats.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 75% of emerging and endemic human infectious diseases originate from animals, compounded by rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate-driven disease spillovers.
  • Pakistan's Pandemic Fund strategy is aligned with the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and the International Health Regulations (IHR).
  • The Pandemic Fund has provided US$18.7 million to Pakistan to strengthen the country's One Health coordination and ability to ward off public health threats.
  • An additional US$4.1 million in co-financing and US$49.7 million in co-investment have been catalyzed by the project.
  • The national consultation facilitated discussions among over 70 partners, including high-level representatives from the Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.
  • The future One Health structures will enhance coordinated surveillance, early warnings regarding zoonotic and environmental threats, joint data sharing, and training of the workforce across all sectors.
  • The National Institute of Health (NIH) will hold the secretariat for the One Health units, with the support of the Ministry of Health and the international partners.

Statistics:

  • Over 75% of human infectious diseases originate from animals.
  • US$18.7 million were awarded to Pakistan from the Pandemic Fund to strengthen One Health coordination.
  • An additional US$4.1 million in co-financing were catalyzed by the project.
  • US$49.7 million in co-investment were also catalyzed by the project.
  • Over 70 partners participated in the national consultation.

Sources:

  • Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Ministry of Health
  • National Institute of Health (NIH)
  • Government of Pakistan
  • Pandemic Fund