S'pore launches new Communicable Diseases Agency to lead pandemic preparation & infectious disease protection efforts

Singapore officially launched the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA), a new statutory board under the Ministry of Health (MOH), on Nov. 12 to protect the nation from infectious diseases and bolster its pandemic preparedness efforts.

The agency will lead in areas like research, updating detection strategies, international collaboration and public education.

The launch was graced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policy Ong Ye Kung.

Agency will lead pandemic preparedness efforts

In a Nov. 12 press release, CDA said that it consolidates public health and scientific expertise, operational and policy capabilities, surveillance, and analytics skills and systems.

Previously, these functions resided across MOH, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) and the Health Promotion Board.

CDA has been operational since Apr. 1 this year and has already launched several initiatives, such as the Singapore Pandemic Preparedness and Response Framework.

CDA said that its strategy is built on three pillars: prepare, prevent and protect.

"This integrated approach enables CDA to tackle current and future infectious disease threats," the agency said.

In practice, CDA will be tasked with operations such as running research efforts on pandemic preparedness and response, updating surveillance strategies, and reviewing and enhancing the nation's immunisation framework.

The agency will also work with the healthcare institutions to strengthen infection prevention and control by developing national guidelines and standards.

In addition, CDA will roll out public education efforts and help keep healthcare professionals equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills.

It will also work to boost early detection of disease threats and leverage new technologies to better respond to them.

Outside of Singapore, CDA will work with international partners to complement its national efforts.

To date, it has signed Memoranda of Understanding with counterparts in the People's Republic of China, Germany, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom.

"As infectious diseases emerge with increasing frequency due to globalisation, high population density, climate change, and evolving pathogens, the launch of CDA represents Singapore’s proactive approach to building our national resilience against infectious diseases," the agency said.

With the CDA launched, the NCID will focus on clinical care and outbreak preparedness.

Overcoming pandemic requires working together: PM Wong

Speaking at the launch, PM Wong, who is also the Finance Minister, shared that Covid-19 was the "crisis of our generation" and the next pandemic may come "sooner than we expect".

CDA was borne out of Singapore's experience from Covid-19, he said.

According to PM Wong, the agency and its partners will conduct regular exercises and simulations to "keep our systems warm".

"CDA has an ambitious and important mission. I am confident it has the right people to carry it out," the prime minister said.

PM Wong also called on Singaporeans to stay vigilant.

"Even so, the CDA cannot fight the next pandemic alone. Covid showed us that pandemics are not just public health issues – they can significantly impact our economy, our society, and the daily lives of every Singaporean. It took every sector of society to fight Covid. [...]

When the next crisis comes, the Government cannot act alone. We will once again need the full support and participation of every Singaporean — to stay vigilant, to act responsibly and to stand together. Only by working together — as one united Singapore — can we overcome the next pandemic."

Top image via Mothership