An important position at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was vacant and the country's pandemic early warning system was understaffed when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, an independent panel has found. The findings build upon those of a preliminary report, released in March, that found the system for issuing public health alerts at GPHIN is lacking. "The most obvious answer is a growing indifference to the idea that Canada could play a global leadership role with regard to health intelligence and surveillance." Pandemic monitoring a 'fundamental responsibility of government'Despite the temptation to "outsource" the network, the panel says, pandemic surveillance must be a core function of government. The public health agency already has embarked on an internal reorganization.

Source: CBC News July 12, 2021 17:20 UTC