December 27 is recognised as International Day Of Epidemic Preparedness-Puri
Jaswant Singh Puri/ December 27,2023
The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was founded by the United Nations on December 7, 2020. The outbreak of the Corona Virus revealed the shortcomings of the Healthcare System and the first-ever International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was solemnized to focus the need for epidemic preparedness and cooperation. There is an urgent need for powerful and cost-effective health systems that can reach those who are poor or in vulnerable situations. High quality education and healthcare procedures are the needs of the day to prevent the epidemics and pandemics at the local, national, regional and global scenarios. The day occupies significance as it can help to unite various countries and continents and take timely and decisive action against future hazards of epidemics.
December 27 has been recognised as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness which aims to increase understanding about preventing and managing epidemics through education and collaboration. The day also encourages countries and communities to put their heads together and emphasise the role of health workers. It presents a platform to honour the contributions of health-efficient professionals so as to strengthen global health systems. The day of 27 December serves as a call to act so as to improve our preparedness, response and immediate action-oriented programme in the face of health crises. The day is committed to partnership, prevention and preparedness for a healthier world so that the planet Earth remains a happier place to live. The day also highlights United Nations and WHO’s crucial, pivotal and important roles and efforts for global coordination.
International Day of Epidemic Preparedness was first observed on December 27, 2020 to highlight the impact of pandemic of Corona Virus. Its aim is to committed partnership, prevention and preparedness for a better and healthier future. It is celebrated by organizing various informative webinars and events to create awareness. It is solemnized by sharing various educational resources on managing and preventing epidemics. The day reflects on lessons from past outbreaks to accelerate preparedness. The day also honours selfless and earnest endeavors of health workers to control the emergence of critical situations. On this day, online competitions are conducted to encourage readiness for health crises.
To combat epidemics and pandemics, there is a need to stock vaccines to ensure rapid inflow of vaccines and curb disease transmission and prevention of diseases. Mobile testing units reach distant and far off areas during outbreaks for timely diagnosis of diseases. Moreover, health diplomacy caters international collaboration to bring nations closer so as to control and manage global health threats. Community involvement also helps to create readiness and preparation to boost epidemic response.
The International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) appeals for big and complex disasters and crises that affect a lot of people who need long term support to recover. It supports to Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies through Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched the support to Zimbabwe to mitigate the effect of severe Cholera outbreak. John Roche, IFRC Head of Delegation Country Cluster for Zimbabwe and Malawi said: “Access to clean and portable water remains among the most urgent needs in the community. We are deeply concerned with the situation unfolding as before the rains cases have escalated.”Alliance for Malaria Prevention (AMP) has revealed on 30 November, 2023 that three billion insecticide treated nets have been shipped to prevent malaria in the last more than ten years.
Globalisation has accelerated the rate of disease transmission. So, it is significant to spread information about vaccinations and other safety precautions. The UN seeks to popularize the One Health approach which encourages the integration of human, plant and animal health and the integration of environmental sector and other relevant sectors. There is an urgent need to fight the scourge of misinformation and pseudoscience with science and fact-based information. A single country cannot fight epidemics and the world must come together for the health challenges. We need to adopt a broader understanding of epidemics and the deep connections between our health and that of our environment. It is true that diseases transmigrate from animals to human beings. So diseases are linked to the destruction of wild habitats and other human activities. Thus the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is the day when we should open our eyes for our interdependence with nature. How to live in harmony with nature can help us prevent future outbreak of epidemics. Inger Anderson, Executive Officer, UN Environment says: “We are intimately interconnected with nature, whether we like it or not. If we don’t care of nature, we can’t take care of ourselves.” The expansion of land use, unsustainable trade, production and consumption disrupt nature which increase contact between wildlife, livestock, pathogens and people. Cristina Romanelli,Programme Officer, Biodiversity, Climate Change and Health, WHO states: “We can invest in healthier, greener and more equitable world by strengthening our capacity for prevention, detection and response through a complex systems approach.”
Dr. Ajit Singh Puri’s book “Speaking of How to Prevent Common Diseases” is a book of eminence and a public health guide. This informative book bears a foreward by Lord Walton, Former President British Medical Association, Royal Society of Medicine. The book was presented to the Vice President of India Mohammed Hamid Anasari at Vice-President House, New Delhi.
Dr. Ajit Singh Puri’s another book “Bird Flue: Countering the Terror” was released by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpath, New Delhi on 14th July, 2007.
Dr. Puri’s book on Denguewas released by Hon’ble Governor of Punjab Shivraj Patil. Besides, his book on SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is also valuable and informative. He has also published many articles on cancer, dengue, malaria and other epidemics. His contribution to the realm of health science is really appreciating. The first copy of SARS was released by the then Deputy Prime Minister of India L.K. Advani, New Delhi. Journalist Jaswant Singh Puri was present on the occasion.
We all should have the determination to prepare our societies to face the epidemics with a firm footing by strengthening international cooperation on health issues. We need to adopt a broader understanding of epidemics and the deep connections between our health and that of our environment.
There is a dire need to live in harmony with nature as it can help us prevent future disease disasters. The United Nations System, in particular the World Health Organisation plays a strong role in coordinating responses to epidemics in supporting national, regional and international efforts to prevent, mitigate and address the impacts of infectious diseases. UN observes so many days like World Health Day (7 April), World Autism Day (22 March), International Day Against Drug Abuse (26 June), World AIDS Day (1 December), World Diabetes Day (14 November) to build resilience to future shocks for epidemics.
Note: The views expressed are personal. This article is dedicated to Smt. Alka Puri wife of Dr. Ajit Singh Puri and mother of Jaswant Singh Puri.
