The COVID inquiry report is an excellent guide to preparing for the next pandemic—health cuts put that at risk

Medical Xpress November 29, 2024
Michael Baker, Amanda Kvalsvig, Collin Tukuitonga and Nick Wilson, The Conversation

The rising threat of epidemics and pandemics adds urgency for the government to act on the recommendations of the long-awaited inquiry into New Zealand’s COVID response.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 report found New Zealand—like most other countries—was not well prepared for a pandemic of COVID’s scale and duration.

To prepare for the next inevitable pandemic, the report says New Zealand must build public health capacity to increase the range of response options and tools available to decision makers.

The big question is when and how the government will implement these recommendations, particularly in the context of job cuts and downsizing of public health capacity.

Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ is set to cut 1,500 more jobs (on top...

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