Yu-Ju Lin
Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan
Title: National pandemic influenza preparedness plans in Taiwan
Biography
Biography: Yu-Ju Lin
Abstract
Background: The threat of a human influenza pandemic has prompted, thus, urgent development of national preparedness plans in Taiwan since 2003. We reviewed these plans to assess Taiwan’s preparedness for pandemic influenza.
Methods: The ‘National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan’ and the ‘Strategic Plan’ of Taiwan, published in 2015 and 2011 respectively, were evaluated by using a checklist containing five criteria of preparation, surveillance, prevention and containment, case investigation and treatment, and risk communication (there are 68 indicators in total). This checklist was developed using the latest WHO guidelines, and in consultation with influenza experts of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Office.
Results: The average score for aggregate completeness is 72.5%. For the five included criteria, the on average scores are 83.3% for preparation, 83.3% for surveillance, 57.4% prevention and containment, 71.4% case investigation and treatment, and 58.3% risk communication. Among the individual indicators, 31 (45.6%) indicators scored 3, 20 (29.4%) indicators scored 2, 15 (22.1%) indicators scored 1, and 2 (2.9%) indicators scored 0. Both of the 2 indicators scored 0 due to the lack of mention triage system and strategy for storage and disposal of corpses.
Conclusion: Taiwan’s preparedness plans are satisfactory, the plan scores particularly well on surveillance system and mobilization of resources such as health care facilities, personal protective equipment, antivirals, and vaccines. Moreover, gaps in preparedness planning remain; especially those operational guidelines for the implementation of related prevention and containment measures should be detailed or addressed in the operational documents.