Pandemic plan success hinges on help to poor nations - G20
South Africa’s Deputy Director-General of Health, Dr Anban Pillay, says although the 100-day mission to develop vaccines or treatments after a pandemic outbreak is ambitious, it is also essential.
On Wednesday, he spoke to Jacaranda FM News on the sidelines of the G20 Health Working Group meeting in Johannesburg.
Pillay warned that poorer nations won't be able to meet the target without long-term global financing and infrastructure support.
South Africa is among the G20 nations backing the 100 Days Mission, which aims to deliver diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments within 100 days of a potential future pandemic.
It is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed critical delays in vaccine access and medical readiness worldwide.
“Time is of the essence in a pandemic,” said Pillay. “The longer you delay, the more the pathogen spreads, and containment becomes much harder.”
He described the 100-day response plan as complex and collaborative.
“It’s like conducting an orchestra. Different parts need to come together, detecting the pathogen, understanding its biology, designing the right countermeasures, and quickly producing and distributing them.”
"Once scientists identify and characterise a virus, laboratories must rapidly begin designing a vaccine or treatment. Global manufacturers then need to test, mass-produce, and distribute the medical countermeasures—while ensuring communities are informed and mobilised," he said.
During COVID-19, shortages of syringes, cold storage, and limited vaccine supplies slowed global response efforts.
Pillay said lessons from that period must guide future readiness.
Financing the Response
A key concern raised at the G20 meeting is sustainable global financing.
While high-income countries generally have emergency funding systems, most low- and middle-income countries do not.
“We just had a conversation about that,” Pillay told Jacaranda FM News.
“The financial support currently available is nowhere near what’s needed. Some NGOs and donors are helping, but their support alone won’t be enough.”
G20 countries are now working with their Finance Ministries to set up what they call “Day Zero Surge Financing”, ensuring every country has a clear plan for immediate pandemic response funding.
“If an outbreak happens tomorrow, we can’t start looking for money then. We need to know in advance where that funding will come from and how to activate it,” said Pillay.
Beyond Money: Health System Resilience
Pillay emphasised that finance is only one part of the puzzle, and resilient health systems are equally important.
“You can’t roll out a vaccine if you don’t already have a functional vaccination programme,” he said.
“The systems, trained staff, and community outreach must be in place before a crisis hits.”
The G20 meeting also explored long-term financial models for pandemic preparedness, looking beyond short-term grants to fund early warning systems, equitable access to treatments, and healthcare infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable regions.
“High-income countries may manage through domestic budgets,” said Pillay.
“But low- and middle-income countries will need international support through global financing institutions and donors.”
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