Context:

An expert group constituted by NITI Aayog has suggested a separate Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) to facilitate the management of any public health crisis.

Key recommendations

• Importance of First 100 Days: Strategies and countermeasures should be ready within the first 100 days of an outbreak.
• Establishment of Empowered Group: Form an Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response.
• Data Integration: Integrate epidemiological surveillance data with genomic data and develop clinical correlations using hospital and lab data.
• Emergency Fund: Establish a Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response Fund for timely and effective action.
• Finance Packages: Provide need-based finance packages for emergency activities like genomic surveillance, vaccine and diagnostic development, research, and shared infrastructure.
• Regulatory Authority: Strengthen the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation with special powers through legislation.

Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA)

Scope and Purpose:

• It addresses a range of issues beyond epidemics, including non-communicable diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism.
• It provides a comprehensive approach to health management, covering prevention, control, and disaster response.

Public Health Cadres:

• The Act will establish skilled public health teams at national and state levels.

Emergency Response:

• It will empower public health agencies to act urgently.
• A lead agency will be identified to coordinate rapid responses, ensuring all health organizations and departments are prepared and trained.

Public Health Emergency (PHE)

• A public health emergency is a serious situation caused by events like bioterrorism, natural disasters, chemical attacks, or nuclear accidents. 
• It has a high risk of causing many deaths, illnesses, or long-term harm to people. 
• The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a PHE of International Concern. In response, the Indian government, led by Union Health ministry issued advisories to states and union territories to implement preventive measures and ensure preparedness.

Global Examples

• Similar laws exist in other countries, such as the UK, Canada, and the USA.
• The USA's Public Health Service Act (1944) and the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (2013) provide a framework for public health services and emergency preparedness.