Armenia`s Cabinet approves Plan for Preparedness and Response to  Epidemics and Pandemics

ArmInfo. On September 18, at its regular meeting, the Armenian government approved the "Plan for Preparedness and Response to Epidemics and Pandemics."

As stated in the explanatory note to the document, the goal of the  project is to ensure the effective functioning of the Republic of  Armenia's healthcare system during epidemics and pandemics by  creating a unified, coordinated, and clearly consistent action plan.

It is noted that experience in recent years, including the  coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), has shown that the processes of  prevention, response, and recovery from epidemics and pandemics  require a comprehensive, coordinated, and strategic approach. A  clear, joint action plan defining the functions, responsibilities,  and mechanisms for interaction between state bodies, local  governments, healthcare organizations, and other stakeholders is  necessary for an adequate response to health emergencies. "Taking  into account the above, it is necessary to legislatively approve the  Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan, which will  contribute to improving public health protection, developing rapid  and effective response capabilities, and preventing the widespread  spread of diseases and negative socio- economic consequences," note  the authors of the draft law, represented by the RA Ministry of  Health.

This will establish a framework for measures necessary to ensure the  preparedness and response of the public healthcare system of the  Republic of Armenia during an epidemic or pandemic, as well as to  ensure interaction between state bodies, local governments, and other  interested entities during an epidemic or pandemic.

The proposed regulations provide for:

 planning and implementation of preparedness and response measures,

implementation of coordinated rapid response measures in the event of  an epidemic/pandemic,

mechanisms for risk communication, information dissemination, and  public awareness raising,

management of human and material resources,

harmonization of actions within the framework of international  cooperation.

The project regulates activities for preparedness and response to new  influenza and other respiratory diseases with pandemic/epidemic  potential, as well as public health measures before, during and after  an epidemic/epidemic that can be applied to any respiratory infection  with pandemic/epidemic potential.