Singapore, new infectious disease preparedness centre

Singapore’s establishment of the ‘Centre for Infectious Disease Emergency Response’ (CIDER) has enabled significant advancements in the country’s capacity to detect and respond to pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks. Led by infectious disease and global health expert Dale Fisher, the centre is part of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University Health System (NUHS). CIDER, which reflects the university’s dedication to establishing a strong global health framework, functions as an educational and operational hub for public health professionals, researchers, and policymakers in Singapore and worldwide, as reported by straitstimes.com. The Centre’s primary objective is to enhance the resilience and capability of healthcare professionals to respond to potential future pandemic waves, with a long-term vision to advocate for global health equity, stated Professor Fisher, who serves as Group Head of Medicine at NUHS. The Centre’s curriculum includes an advanced training programme, the ‘Master of Science in Infectious Disease Emergencies,’ developed in collaboration with international health authorities. The course has been conceived to equip professionals with the advanced skills required to manage and respond to infectious disease crises, as asserted by Louisa Sun, deputy director of CIDER.