Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 01/2011

H1N1 Outbreak in Pakistan: Lessons Learnt

Sania Nishtar

December 2010

Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies

Abstract

Compared to many other countries in Asia, the outbreak of pandemic influenza H1N1 appeared to be of minor concern to Pakistan. This paper analyses, using qualitative research methods, the extent to which such a notion was justified and the response of Pakistan's health system to the outbreak, exploring the degree to which it is responsive to problems posed by an emerging infection. It looks at the health system measures introduced prior to the H1N1 outbreak (after the implementation of the International Health Regulations 2005) as these came into play during this episode, as well as specific measures introduced subsequent to the H1N1 outbreak.