Annual Review of the Implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) Fund in the WHO Southeast Asia Region (SEAR), 2024

The Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework provides a global approach to pandemic influenza preparedness and response. In the Southeast Asia Region (SEAR), all Member States, except Thailand, are implementing country-specific PIP Partnership Contribution (PC) work plans under the High-Level Implementation Plan III (HLIP-III) for 2024–2030.

During the last biennium of PIP PC work plan implementation, several post-pandemic and country-specific factors emerged that received limited attention during the peak of the pandemic. Identifying these factors now is both timely and critical, as countries embark on the first cycle of 2024–2025 plans under HLIP-III.

Moreover, in the first six months of the current biennium, the implementation rate of the SEAR PIP PC fund has remained relatively low.

Hence, with the aim of reviewing the implementation of the first year of the PIP PC biennium workplan (2024–25) under HLIP-III, identifying issues and challenges, and developing recommendations for improved implementation in 2025—along with the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation framework and reporting milestones—the annual review meeting was held in New Delhi, India, from 15–16 October 2024.

The participants of this regional meeting included focal points for PIP PC implementation from Ministries of Health and WHO country focal points from the 10 PIP PC fund recipient countries in WHO’s South-East Asia Region (SEAR), as well as global and regional output leads of HLIP-III and the PIP Secretariat at WHO Headquarters. In addition, the chair, co-chair, and regional members of the PIP PC Advisory Group (AG) attended the meeting. They outlined their advisory role and the nature of the recommendations they provide to the Director-General of WHO. Furthermore, they actively participated in discussions, contributing to the improvement of topics addressed during the meeting.

The two-day meeting provided an opportunity for the PIP PC recipient countries to share updates on their implementation, best practices, key issues, challenges, and plans for 2025. During the review, the operational framework of HLIP-III, the monitoring and evaluation framework showcasing global gains and achievements, and financial updates were presented by the PIP Secretariat. Additionally, the demonstration of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office’s (EMRO) web-based tool for PIP project monitoring and its potential for piloting in the South-East Asia region was also discussed.

In addition, global and regional leads of HLIP-III Outputs 3 and 4 provided updates on the use of PIP PC funds and the key activities undertaken. Invited experts also shared best practices in areas such as ZIDAR updates, biomedical training, and the analysis of influenza surveillance and vaccination in the South-East Asia region.

Member States and other participants agreed on a set of recommendations to enhance and accelerate the implementation of the PIP PC fund in the region, with a view to strengthening collaborative efforts to improve the core capacities required for pandemic influenza preparedness. Some of the key recommendations include:

• Given the catalytic nature and limited availability of PIP funds, advocate to establish dedicated influenza programs or integrate influenza preparedness into national disease control frameworks, ensuring alignment with the Global Influenza Strategy.
• Review and address system issues related policies and plans, collaborative surveillance, community protection, and medical countermeasures during national assessments. These reviews should be used to advocate for improvements from a health system perspective with policymakers.
• While accelerating the implementation, document common challenges and best practices to improve efficiency and optimize resource use, encouraging collaboration between PIP Secretariat, WHO SEARO and the PIP PC recipient countries.

Dr. Farida Al Hosani and Dr. Howard Njoo are the chair and vice-chair of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Advisory Group. They attended the meeting alongside regional members of the PIP PC Advisory Group

The focal points for implementing PIP (Pandemic Influenza Preparedness) Partnership Contributions from Ministries of Health of the 10 PIP PC (Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Partnership Contribution) fund recipient countries in WHO's South-East Asia Region (SEAR) shared updates on the progress of their respective work  plan implementation  during the regional meeting

During the review, the operational framework of HLIP-III, the monitoring and evaluation framework showcasing global gains and achievements, and financial updates were presented by the PIP Secretariat

(Photo - IHM/WHE/SEARO)