“PRET” for future pandemics? Countries in WHO’s South-East Asia Region outline steps to update respiratory pandemic plans

To prepare for future respiratory pandemics, WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Office organized a workshop for countries in the Region on 12-13 October 2023. Public health officials from nine countries and WHO Country Office participants from other two countries discussed their priorities in line with the Regional Strategic Roadmap for Health Security and Health System Resilience for Emergencies 2023-2027 and WHO’s Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative that promotes efficient mode-of-transmission pandemic planning.  

Using scenario-based exercises, the workshop enabled countries to consider their current capacities and the actions needed to strengthen respiratory pandemic preparedness. All countries recognized the need to exercise plans, and eight aim to update their pandemic plans using WHO’s PRET guidance in 2024. Key challenges noted include sustaining multi-sectoral attention to pandemic preparedness, having coherent data management systems, ensuring access to medical products during the emergency, surging community focused mental health support systems, and having a sufficient health workforce.  

Countries identified their immediate next steps and the support needed from WHO and partners to maximize regional preparedness. See the reflections from workshop participants below.