30 Organizational Partnerships for Preparedness and Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

Abstract International crises demand active formation of health research partnerships, which are collaborative relationships between two or more parties for the common goal of improving the health of populations through mutually agreed functions and principles and sharing of risks and benefits. Key partnership players include communities, national authorities and health systems, research organizations, academic centers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), pharmaceutical companies, international funders, policymakers, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The greatest strength of these partnerships is their ability to combine the complementary strengths of different stakeholders to achieve common objectives. To improve pandemic preparedness and the capacity for prompt responses to emerging infectious diseases, the chapter recommends enhancing partnerships, embedding international R&D efforts into national health systems; providing appropriate research funding; developing and strengthening human resources, communication, infrastructures, and surveillance; and translating science into policy decisions.