Government approves new agency to prepare for public threats including pandemics

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly will now appoint an expert to design this agency, which will focus on infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, and other emerging threats to public health. Picture: Brian Lawless

The Government has approved the establishment of an agency to prepare for new health threats including pandemics, health minister Stephen Donnelly has confirmed. 

He will now appoint an expert to design this agency, which will focus on infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, and other emerging threats to public health. A proposal on the scope and functions of the agency is expected to be brought to Government within six months.