Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how a lack of accurate, real-time outbreak data and an inconsistent science-based response framework can lead to global struggles in responding to the pandemic in a timely and effective manner (1, 2). There is a need to fundamentally transform the international pandemic surveillance and response system, as called for by the World Health Organization (3). To achieve this transformation, scientists and experts worldwide must co-develop a global pandemic preparedness and response scheme that is science-based, digitally-enabled, and works across the continuum of pandemic phases, namely preparedness, surveillance, response, and recovery. In addition, capacity development efforts and robust governance frameworks are crucial in facilitating a sustainable digital transformation for health systems (4, 5). This global pandemic scheme must be built collaboratively and transparently with international organizations, academia, private sector, civil society, and citizens for it to be a trusted source of information for public health decision-making.
