Public Health Policy and Experience of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Pune, India
Background Prior experience and the persisting threat of influenza pandemic indicate the need for global and local preparedness and public health response capacity. The pandemic of 2009 highlighted the importance of such planning and the value of prior efforts at all levels. Our review of the publ...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kerman University of Medical Sciences
2018-02-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Health Policy and Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijhpm.com/article_3361_5a21262a5f4025329f5995bf01052de8.pdf |
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| author | Vidula Purohit Abhay Kudale Neisha Sundaram Saju Joseph Christian Schaetti Mitchell G. Weiss |
| author_facet | Vidula Purohit Abhay Kudale Neisha Sundaram Saju Joseph Christian Schaetti Mitchell G. Weiss |
| author_sort | Vidula Purohit |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background
Prior experience and the persisting threat of influenza pandemic indicate the need for global and local preparedness and public health response capacity. The pandemic of 2009 highlighted the importance of such planning and the value of prior efforts at all levels. Our review of the public health response to this pandemic in Pune, India, considers the challenges of integrating global and national strategies in local programmes and lessons learned for influenza pandemic preparedness.
Methods
Global, national and local pandemic preparedness and response plans have been reviewed. In-depth interviews were undertaken with district health policy-makers and administrators who coordinated the pandemic response in Pune.
Results
In the absence of a comprehensive district-level pandemic preparedness plan, the response had to be improvised. Media reporting of the influenza pandemic and inaccurate information that was reported at times contributed to anxiety in the general public and to widespread fear and panic. Additional challenges included inadequate public health services and reluctance of private healthcare providers to treat people with flu-like symptoms. Policy-makers developed a response strategy that they referred to as the Pune plan, which relied on powers sanctioned by the Epidemic Act of 1897 and resources made available by the union health ministry, state health department and a government diagnostic laboratory in Pune.
Conclusion
The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) global strategy for pandemic control focuses on national planning, but state-level and local experience in a large nation like India shows how national planning may be adapted and implemented. The priority of local experience and requirements does not negate the need for higher level planning. It does, however, indicate the importance of local adaptability as an essential feature of the planning process. Experience and the implicit Pune plan that emerged are relevant for pandemic preparedness and other public health emergencies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T12:55:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dd5de25b55384212adf3d0467b6b370c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2322-5939 2322-5939 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T12:55:35Z |
| publishDate | 2018-02-01 |
| publisher | Kerman University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Health Policy and Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-dd5de25b55384212adf3d0467b6b370c2022-12-21T23:00:34ZengKerman University of Medical SciencesInternational Journal of Health Policy and Management2322-59392322-59392018-02-017215416610.15171/IJHPM.2017.54Public Health Policy and Experience of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Pune, IndiaVidula Purohit0Abhay Kudale1Neisha Sundaram2Saju Joseph3Christian Schaetti4Mitchell G. Weiss5The Maharashtra Association of Anthropological Sciences, Centre for Health Research and Development, Pune, IndiaThe Maharashtra Association of Anthropological Sciences, Centre for Health Research and Development, Pune, IndiaDepartment of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, SwitzerlandThe Maharashtra Association of Anthropological Sciences, Centre for Health Research and Development, Pune, IndiaDepartment of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, SwitzerlandDepartment of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, SwitzerlandBackground Prior experience and the persisting threat of influenza pandemic indicate the need for global and local preparedness and public health response capacity. The pandemic of 2009 highlighted the importance of such planning and the value of prior efforts at all levels. Our review of the public health response to this pandemic in Pune, India, considers the challenges of integrating global and national strategies in local programmes and lessons learned for influenza pandemic preparedness. Methods Global, national and local pandemic preparedness and response plans have been reviewed. In-depth interviews were undertaken with district health policy-makers and administrators who coordinated the pandemic response in Pune. Results In the absence of a comprehensive district-level pandemic preparedness plan, the response had to be improvised. Media reporting of the influenza pandemic and inaccurate information that was reported at times contributed to anxiety in the general public and to widespread fear and panic. Additional challenges included inadequate public health services and reluctance of private healthcare providers to treat people with flu-like symptoms. Policy-makers developed a response strategy that they referred to as the Pune plan, which relied on powers sanctioned by the Epidemic Act of 1897 and resources made available by the union health ministry, state health department and a government diagnostic laboratory in Pune. Conclusion The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) global strategy for pandemic control focuses on national planning, but state-level and local experience in a large nation like India shows how national planning may be adapted and implemented. The priority of local experience and requirements does not negate the need for higher level planning. It does, however, indicate the importance of local adaptability as an essential feature of the planning process. Experience and the implicit Pune plan that emerged are relevant for pandemic preparedness and other public health emergencies.http://www.ijhpm.com/article_3361_5a21262a5f4025329f5995bf01052de8.pdfInfluenzaH1N1Pandemic Preparedness PlansLocal-Level Pandemic ResponseIndia |
| spellingShingle | Vidula Purohit Abhay Kudale Neisha Sundaram Saju Joseph Christian Schaetti Mitchell G. Weiss Public Health Policy and Experience of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Pune, India International Journal of Health Policy and Management Influenza H1N1 Pandemic Preparedness Plans Local-Level Pandemic Response India |
| title | Public Health Policy and Experience of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Pune, India |
| title_full | Public Health Policy and Experience of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Pune, India |
| title_fullStr | Public Health Policy and Experience of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Pune, India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Public Health Policy and Experience of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Pune, India |
| title_short | Public Health Policy and Experience of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic in Pune, India |
| title_sort | public health policy and experience of the 2009 h1n1 influenza pandemic in pune india |
| topic | Influenza H1N1 Pandemic Preparedness Plans Local-Level Pandemic Response India |
| url | http://www.ijhpm.com/article_3361_5a21262a5f4025329f5995bf01052de8.pdf |
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