Hanoi (VNA) - Professor Tran Xuan Bach at Vietnam National University, Hanoi has been appointed as a member of the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) of the Pandemic Fund operated by the World Bank Group (WB) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Bach, who is also a health economist and adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, specialises in decision-analytic modeling to guide the development and assessment of health technologies and policies. With extensive experience consulting for United Nations agencies, international organisations, and governments across Asia, his work focuses on identifying cost-effective interventions, evaluating health services and innovations, and strengthening health systems. His efforts address critical global health challenges, including HIV/AIDS, substance use, mental health, and pandemic preparedness and response.
He has received numerous international research awards, including the 2025 CUGH’s Velji Faculty Leader in Global Health Innovation Award, the 2024 IBTN LMIC Investigator Award, the 2023 ISPOR LMIC Research Excellence Award, the Hopkins Centre for AIDS Research’s International Research Award, and was a runner-up for the 2022 APEC Research Prize on Healthy Women, Healthy Economies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant losses in human lives, economies, and societies while exposing critical weaknesses in global healthcare systems, increasing vulnerability to future outbreaks. In response, the Pandemic Fund was established as the first multilateral finance mechanism to enhance pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities in low- and middle-income countries.
The Pandemic Fund was established in September 2022, with 2 billion USD in support from G20 countries, the WB, the WHO, and international organisations. This initiative aims to increase investment in terms of pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) through the provision of additional long-term financing, towards key areas such as infectious disease surveillance, laboratory systems, diagnostics, and health team capacity building.
As of November 2024, the fund has allocated nearly 1 billion USD to 47 projects in 75 countries, and mobilised an additional 6 billion USD from domestic and foreign partners. These projects promote a systemic and comprehensive approach, strengthen intersectoral cooperation, and encourage countries to increase budgetary investments to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of pandemic prevention efforts around the globe.
While many other financial mechanisms support healthcare activities, the fund is the only initiative focusing on pandemic prevention and response, specifically targeting low- and middle-income countries. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that essential investments are not overshadowed by short-term demands, contributing to building a stronger global health system to tackle future disease threats.
The TAP is a crucial part of the Pandemic Fund, providing technical consultation and strategic support to the fund’s Governing Board. It works to ensure the fund's grants are allocated effectively and align with global objectives for PPR.
This panel comprises a core group of 30 multidisciplinary experts, and operates under the leadership of the WHO. It is chaired by Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Assistant Director-General of the WHO./.
