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COVID-19

Pakistan Launches Pandemic Fund with International Partners to Strengthen Public Health Systems

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The World Health Organisation (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have partnered with Pakistan to initiate the implementation of the country's pandemic fund. This collaboration aims to improve Pakistan's ability to prevent and respond to public health threats, aligning with the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) and the International Health Regulations (IHR). The national high-level consultation in Islamabad marked the beginning of this project, which seeks to establish One Health Units across the country, leveraging lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. These units will facilitate coordinated surveillance, early warning systems, workforce training, and joint data sharing across sectors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pandemic Fund-supported project, led by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, has initiated the implementation process in Pakistan.
  • The initiative aims to bolster Pakistan's pandemic prevention and response capabilities, contributing to global health security.
  • The National Institute of Health (NIH) will host the secretariat of the Pandemic Fund, with WHO, FAO, and ADB as implementing partners.
  • The One Health approach will be adopted, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
  • Over 75% of emerging and endemic infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, exacerbated by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate-induced disease spillovers.
  • The project targets to improve surveillance systems, expand laboratory networks, and scale up community-based interventions.
  • The Pandemic Fund has awarded Pakistan US$18.7 million, with additional co-financing and co-investment mobilised to strengthen One Health coordination and public health readiness.
  • Senior representatives from ministries, provincial and regional health authorities, and technical experts attended the national high-level consultation in Islamabad.
  • The planned One Health Units will facilitate coordinated action, joint data sharing, and early warning systems for zoonotic and environmental threats.

Statistics:

  • 75% of emerging and endemic infectious diseases in humans originate from animals.
  • Pakistan has been awarded US$18.7 million from the Pandemic Fund.
  • Additional co-financing of US$4.1 million and co-investment of US$49.7 million have been mobilised to support the project.

Sources:

  • WHO, FAO, and ADB
  • Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination
  • National Institute of Health (NIH)
  • World Health Organisation (WHO)
  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB)

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