E4H Punjab TA: Revision of Punjab Infectious Diseases Act (2020)

Programme Overview

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for a responsive legal and institutional framework to address emerging and re-emerging disease threats. The subsequent Joint External Evaluation (JEE) 2023 has reported low scores for legal instruments. Recognising this, the Health and Population Department (H&PD), Government of Punjab, has prioritised legislative reform to enhance alignment with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and global health security standards.
• The Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Ordinance 2020 was promulgated under Article 128 of the Constitution, which laid the groundwork for immediate legal measures during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was followed by the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Act 2020 (Act XIII of 2020), which was enacted in August 2020, replacing the ordinance and providing a more permanent legislative framework.
• This legislation was primarily intended for public health emergency management in the province and remained deficient in terms of the comprehensive development of IHR core capacities. Gaps include limited awareness among enforcement bodies, inconsistent SOPs, fragmented reporting mechanisms, and weak inter-sectoral coordination. Capacity constraints—particularly at the district level—and underutilisation of digital surveillance tools further hinder timely and effective responses.
• At the national level, the National Public Health Emergency Management (NPHEM) Roadmap outlines protocols for emergency preparedness and response. However, Punjab’s current legislative and institutional arrangements are partially aligned with this framework, limiting coordinated action during public health emergencies. The act serves as a legal instrument to enable the Punjab government to prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases.
• The Punjab Prevention and Control of Dengue Regulations 2011, framed under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1958, provide a precedent for operationalising disease control through multi-sectoral coordination and enforcement.

Objectives

The overarching objective is to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for infectious disease prevention, detection, and response in Punjab, ensuring alignment with national and international standards.

Specific Objectives

• To identify legal, procedural, and operational gaps through structured consultations with key stakeholders, including DGHS Punjab, Healthcare Commission, and the Law Department.
• To revise the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Act (2020) in light of implementation gaps, evolving global standards, and federal guidance under the NPHEM Roadmap and NAPHS recommendations.
• To draft an updated legislative framework that enhances intersectoral coordination, strengthens surveillance, and enables timely emergency response across the province in line with the prevent, detect, and respond pillars of IHR.

Strategic Approach

• The Evidence for Health (E4H) Programme is extending a Technical Assistance (TA) initiative to strengthen Punjab’s legislative framework directly in compliance with IHR requirements.
• The proposed TA is grounded in both global and national frameworks aimed at strengthening legal preparedness in Punjab. It is aligned with SDG Target 3.d, which emphasises the need for enhanced early warning and risk management capacities, and draws upon the WHO Benchmarks for IHR Capacities—particularly those related to legislation, coordination, and emergency response.
• At the national level, the TA complements the operational vision of the NPHEM Roadmap, ensuring that Punjab’s legal and institutional structures are harmonised with federal emergency preparedness protocols.
• Taken together, the TA represents a consolidated public health legislation with emergency response protocols, anchoring international best practices along with the One Health approach within the province’s evolving health governance framework. Relevant precedents, such as the Punjab Dengue Act, will inform this process, offering operational models for integrated implementation. The TA aligns with ongoing federal efforts to revise public health legislation, positioning Punjab’s framework within the broader national discourse on health security.

Scope of Work and Methodology

The TA will be implemented in five phases with flexibility to accommodate evolving needs. Designated focal points from the H&PD will be engaged in key stages of the process to ensure relevance, ownership, and continuity.

Phase 1: Inception and Situational Analysis

• Conduct an inception meeting with H&PD, DGHS, and relevant institutions to agree on the scope, timelines, and coordination mechanism.
• Review the Punjab Infectious Diseases (Prevention and Control) Act (2020) and other federal/provincial laws related to public health emergencies, such as the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act 2014 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Epidemic Control and Emergency Relief Act, 2017.
• Map institutional roles, enforcement gaps, and reporting systems.
• Identify national and global legislative best practices to inform revision.

Phase 2: Stakeholder Consultations and Gap Assessment

• Facilitate key informant interviews and focused group discussions with public health professionals, legal experts, district health managers, and CSOs
• Assess regulatory and procedural bottlenecks in the enforcement of infectious disease law.
• Benchmark alignment with IHR core capacities, advocated by NAPHS, and NPHEM functions (e.g., risk assessment, emergency operations centres)
• Analyse coordination challenges, SOP adherence, and data governance issues across departments

Phase 3: Drafting of Legislative Framework

• Prepare a consolidated draft or proposed amendments to the Infectious Diseases Act reflecting consultation outcomes and international standards.
• Ensure that all deficient core capacities are addressed under the prevention, detection, and response framework.  (mode of transmission)
• Ensure provisions cover emergency declarations, role clarity, gender and equity safeguards, data sharing, and digital integration.
• Conduct peer review and legal vetting with relevant departments and public health authorities.

Phase 4: Validation and Consensus Building

• Organise a validation workshop to present, review, and refine the proposed legislation.
• Capture stakeholder feedback and document areas of consensus, as well as those that require further discussion.
• Develop a legal brief and institutional roadmap for final tabling and implementation of the Act.

Phase 5: Finalisation and Capacity Strengthening

• Finalise the legislation and prepare user-friendly implementation guidelines for field and legal teams.
• Recommend practical steps for operationalisation.
• Submit a final technical report, a legal framework, and a conclusion deck, along with an operational roadmap, to support policy endorsement and rollout.

Sustainability: Capacity Building, Institutionalisation, and/or Transition Planning

• TAs focused on legal reforms are fundamentally Institutional. TA will strengthen the provincial legislative framework for IHR core capacities. It will address existing legal gaps by addressing thematic IHR areas of Prevention, Detection, and Response through institutional roles within provincial administrative mandates.
• Following the legal vetting by the Law department, the draft legislative framework will be handed over to H&PD to proceed with the following stages in the legislative process. Post TA critical steps included assembly debates and provincial cabinet approval.
• Director Health Services, CD&EPC will serve as the focal point for correspondence throughout, and post TA developments

Deliverables

1. Inception Report & Slide Deck.
2. Report on Stakeholder Consultations.
3. Draft Legislative Framework.
4. Final Legislative Document & Legal Brief.
5. Conclusion Report & Final Presentation.

Constitutional Expert (Senior National)

LOE: 30 days (subject to adjustment)

Period: Sep 2025 – Jan 2026

Role Requirements
Ensure constitutional consistency of the revised Act, advise on conflicts, align with federal laws and provincial autonomy, and provide vetting during consultations.

Technical Expertise
Postgraduate degree in Law, Public Law, or related discipline. Minimum of 15 years’ overall experience. Strong knowledge of Pakistan’s federal and provincial legislative frameworks, devolution arrangements, and division of powers. Experience in reviewing and advising on legislative compliance with governance structures, human rights, and emergency powers. Proven track record of advising government on complex legal reforms and intergovernmental coordination. Familiarity with public health legislation and international obligations (e.g., IHR 2005) will be an asset.

Core Competencies
Legal & policy analysis; Strategic thinking & judgement; Influencing & consensus building; Communicating with others; Planning & delivering work.

Deliverables/KPIs
Same as overall TA deliverables.