Influenza pandemic preparedness needs more work to target local level
The main challenge Finland faces in its influenza pandemic preparedness strategy is to develop national and regional work so that it functions properly at local, or municipal, level. This is the key finding of a report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), just published by the MSAH.
The report follows a visit by ECDC, WHO and EU Commission representatives to Finland in June last year. The aim of the visit was to assess the level of Finland’s preparedness strategy, and is part of a programme of similar assessments of other European countries.
Finland’s national preparedness plan was developed towards the end of 2006. It has been complemented by individual preparedness plans drawn up by the country’s hospital districts.
The ECDC report estimates that it will take a couple of years for Finland to extend its preparedness planning to fully encompass municipal-level activity. The main emphasis of the report in this respect is the continuity and coordination of national preparedness planning. It also stresses the need for coordination in the preparedness planning between public healthcare, social services and private healthcare.