The Saxony-Anhalt state government has assembled a team of expert advisors to scrutinize their pandemic response measures and prepare for future situations. This decision was made following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, as revealed by Infrastructure Minister Lydia Hüskens (FDP). The primary focus of this commission will be on data management, risk communication, enacted protocols, and legal aspects.
As Minister President Reiner Haseloff (CDU) clarified, the purpose is not to evaluate past measures retrospectively but to learn from the events of the pandemic years since 2020, enabling them to handle similar situations more effectively in the future. The government's hope is to derive actions, regulations, and precautions based on the commission's findings.
The commission is set to consist of around ten experts with close ties to the topic and Saxony-Anhalt. The chosen individuals will be appointed by the end of the year, allowing the commission to commence work in the first quarter of 2024. A report providing recommendations and insights will be submitted by March 31, 2025.
In relation to pandemic preparedness, the state government's commission will gather advice and insights to strengthen the region's health sector, focusing on future pandemics. The role of the parliament will also involve overseeing this process, contributing to a collaborative and comprehensive approach to addressing public health crises.
During the pandemic, multiple initiatives have been undertaken—both nationally in Germany and at the European Union level—to improve pandemic preparedness. One such initiative is the Corona Expert Panel and the Corona Crisis Team, both installed by the federal government to monitor the situation and advise on measures to combat the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, amendments to the Infection Protection Act have granted more power to the federal government, while the National Pandemic Plan delineates responsibilities for healthcare system actors in case of a pandemic.
At the European level, the DEFENDER project is a significant endeavor aimed at enhancing pandemic preparedness. The project brings together leading European research institutions to develop innovative antiviral strategies based on their collective expertise in virology, structural biology, genetics, and bioinformatics.
