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Integrating Transparency, Participation, and Accountability Lessons into Future Pandemic Preparedness and Response.
Updated June 23rd, 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the myriad ways in which governments, global health institutions, and the public were not prepared for a health emergency of such magnitude. As the process of unpacking gaps in global and national responses continues, it is clear that breakdowns in governance hampered both responses. However, there are also encouraging examples of ways in which stronger governance frameworks and civic engagement aided efforts to cope with the pandemic. Evidence and experience from stakeholders in the transparency, participation, and accountability (TPA) community has the potential to inform and strengthen responses to future global health crises.
In this brief, we present proven approaches designed, tested, and in some cases scaled by researchers and practitioners in the TPA field that can address some of the issues that undermined COVID-19 responses, particularly with regard to the effective delivery of care and treatment.
While these approaches are not “out of the box” solutions and should be adapted and integrated in collaboration with global health experts, these recommendations can strengthen processes and population and health systems outcomes.
In addition to the recommendations highlighted below, the report lays forth one overarching lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic – that increased engagement between the global health systems and TPA communities before the next pandemic has the potential to reinforce responses to the next global emergency. The evidence and experience of TPA experts can and should be integrated into global health security planning, not only in relation to the global governance of funding and programming but also local dimensions of pandemic preparedness and response.
WHAT MIGHT THAT LOOK LIKE?
We offer suggestions grouped according to the frame provided by the G20 High-Level Independent Panel proposal A Global Deal for our Pandemic Age as summarized in the next five slides.
HOW THE TPA COMMUNITY CAN CONSTRUCTIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO FUTURE PANDEMIC RESPONSES:
To strengthen resilience of national health systems
To ensure the supply of medical countermeasures and tools
To strengthen networks research and surveillance globally
To improve global governance of pandemic preparedness and response efforts
To strengthen financing for pandemic preparedness and response
On June 23rd, TAI and Results for Development hosted a session to launch the Strengthening Pandemic Governance report. Global experts from a mix of perspectives offered their actionable suggestions for preparedness at local, national and global levels.