Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) [UPSC Notes]

The World Health Organization launched the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats initiative, or PRET in April 2023 to prepare countries for the next pandemic with a focus on respiratory pathogens. In this article, we shall discuss what this PRET is all about and its significance in preparedness for another possible pandemic. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam health segment.

Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Initiative

The objective of the PRET initiative is to help countries to ensure better management of the pandemic from response to recovery through the strengthening of the systems and capacities. 

• A global meet on PRET will be held on 24-26 April with an initial focus on respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness. The expected outcome from the meeting includes a global Call to Action and a global roadmap for implementation.
• Based on their transmission mode, PRET focuses on improving pandemic preparedness for groups of pathogens. 
• PRET identifies that there are three tiers of systems and capacities relevant to pandemic preparedness: 

• • Those that are cross-cutting for all or multi-hazards.
  • Those relevant for groups of pathogens (respiratory, arboviruses, etc.).
  • Those that are specific to a pathogen.
• PRET approach emphasizes the coherence and efficiency to streamline action and overcome siloed approach.
• The initial module is based on respiratory pathogens since the risk of influenza or other respiratory pathogen pandemic is always present. Over time PRET will develop new modules for other pathogens also.
• PRET incorporates one health approach since it recognises that most new pathogens originate first in animals and multi-sectoral action is required to prevent, prepare and respond to emerging threats.
• PRET aims to boost pandemic preparedness for a certain group of pathogens to fulfil the World Health Assembly resolutions which call for WHO to provide technical guidance and strengthen pandemic preparedness and response.
• The PRET approach provides technical efficiency since it recognizes the evolving landscape for governance, financing, and systems to prepare for emerging infectious disease threats.

Source: WHO

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