Lok Sabha Question No. 4330 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Public Health Emergency Management Act
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Jagdambika Pal, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Dr. Bhola Singh, Shri Manoj Tiwari

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4330 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2024

## PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCYMANGEMENT ACT

## † 4330 DR. BHOLA SINGH:

SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT:

SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

SHRI JAGDAMBIKAPAL:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the primary objectives of establishing Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) along with the specific public health emergencies it aim to address;
- (b) the primary objectives of establishing the special fund for Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response (PPER) along with the potential sources of funding being considered for this special fund;
- (c) the proposed timeline fixed for enacting PHEMA and establishing necessary institutional frameworks, the manner in which the PPER fund is likely to be structured, including potential funding sources;
- (d) the budget allocated for emergency response and epidemic management in M.P.;
- (e) the manner in which State like Maharashtra and particularly Jalgaon district contribute to the effective implementation of PHEMA and PPER, ensuring localized readiness for public health emergencies, and
- (f) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in Jalgaon district to enhance health infrastructure and community awareness, ensuring the district's preparedness aligns with the objectives of PHEMA and PPER?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (f): NITI Aayog has published an Expert Group report entitled 'Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response - A Framework for Action' wherein the Experts have proposed a blueprint for the country to prepare for any future public health emergency or pandemic and have a rapid response system. As part of its recommendations, the Expert Group has suggested a separate Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) and creation of a special fund for Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response (PPER) to facilitate the management of any public health crisis.

Health is a State subject. Government of India continues to support all States/UTs in their endeavour to enhance preparedness and response capacities against future public health emergencies including epidemics.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under its flagship programme, National Health Mission, continues to provide requisite technical and financial support to all States/UTs to augment its health infrastructure and healthcare delivery to meet any exigencies due to future public health threats.

Additionally, all States/UTs were provided with special financial packages in 2021 and 2022 to augment preparedness and response capacities against large scale public health emergencies.

Further, With the long-term goal to better prepare country against public health emergencies, Pradhan Mantri -Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has been launched with an outlay of Rs. 64, 180 Crore to enhance the capacity of primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities and institutes for identifying and managing any new and emerging diseases.

*****