Although the much feared pandemic flu has not hit since its outbreak was predicted two years ago, the Maltese authorities are not slacking behind in their vigilance, as yesterday the Pandemic Preparedness Committee launched the Malta Influenza Pandemic Response Plan.

The Maltese plan has attracted the plaudits of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control as it deemed it fit to be a model for countries which have not drafted their own plan yet.

The national plan focuses primarily on the preparedness and response phases of a potential pandemic influenza outbreak and provides preparedness guidelines for society in general. It also explains the roles and responsibilities of government, the non-governmental organisations together with the private sector.

The plan is divided into seven theme specific parts, the first part of which highlights the negative socio-economic implications of a pandemic on the nation today. The section outlines the national strategic approach as well as the mechanisms for coordination of each stakeholder towards planning, preparedness and recovery.

Another section focuses on the national health plan, focusing on the procedures that the various Health Division departments will adopt during a pandemic outbreak. It is based on early detection and containment of the disease in the Maltese islands. Antivirals and pandemic vaccine will be used to limit the progression of disease. The plan also defines the Primary Health Care setting as the main responder with the hospital catering for secondary referrals.

The preparedness of society is treated in a separate part, with guidelines on how the general public should be adequately prepared for an outbreak.

The plan also provides for the continuity of business during and after an outbreak, that will help towards keeping essential services running during an outbreak and the resumption of normal operations post pandemic. The plan also encompasses a socio-economic impact assessment for Malta in order to help policy makers to plan and prepare for an eventual outbreak.

More information regarding pandemic preparedness can be obtained by logging on to www.pandemic.gov.mt.