NUS Medicine launches new centre to bolster global pandemic preparedness and response to infectious disease emergencies

The Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) announced the official launch of the Centre for Infectious Disease Emergency Response (CIDER) on 10 February 2025, an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing pandemic preparedness and strengthening responses to infectious disease emergencies. The launch was graced by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore and attended by over 15 ambassadors and other country representatives.

Led by infectious diseases and global health expert and Centre Director Professor Dale Fisher, CIDER will serve as an education and operational hub for public health professionals, researchers, and policymakers across Singapore and internationally. The Centre is part of NUS Medicine's ongoing commitment to building a robust global health infrastructure. Through a wide range of training, teaching, and operational initiatives, CIDER will play a crucial role in enabling healthcare professionals to tackle infectious disease outbreaks with improved resilience and response capabilities. As part of its mission, CIDER will focus on expanding the regional capacity to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to infectious disease emergencies-with a long-term vision to foster global health equity.

Prof Fisher said, "We are proud to launch CIDER-a Centre which will not only advance research and education but will have a direct and tangible impact on national health systems. Through establishing the Centre, we aim to empower the next generation of public health leaders to effectively respond to infectious disease emergencies and, ultimately, contribute to a healthier, more resilient world." Prof Fisher is currently also Professor of Medicine at NUS Medicine, Group Chief of Medicine at the National University Health System (NUHS), and Senior Consultant in the Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital (NUH).

Master of Science in Infectious Disease Emergencies (MSc IDE)

As part of CIDER's flagship offerings, the newly launched Master of Science in Infectious Disease Emergencies (MSc IDE) is a groundbreaking programme for professionals in the field of public health and outbreak response. The MSc IDE is a first-of-its-kind degree designed to equip individuals with the critical knowledge and practical skills needed to lead during infectious disease crises.

Dr Louisa Sun, Deputy Director, CIDER, added, "The MSc IDE programme reflects our commitment to building a resilient workforce capable of responding to global health threats. By combining academic rigour with real-world application, we will be equipping professionals with the tools they need to make a real difference in global health crises-comprehensive training in areas such as outbreak dynamics, prevention strategies, and emergency response management." Dr Sun is also Consultant at the Division of Infectious Diseases, and Head of the Infection Prevention and Control and Epidemiology Unit at Alexandra Hospital.

"Infectious disease emergencies: Preparedness and responses": A groundbreaking textbook

In line with its educational efforts, CIDER is proud to announce the publication of a book, titled "Infectious Disease Emergencies: Preparedness and Responses" from NUS Press. This peer-reviewed, comprehensive resource is designed to guide professionals in managing infectious disease crises. Edited by Prof Fisher, the book features contributions from over 100 global experts actively working in the field of infectious diseases.

This comprehensive book will serve as an essential textbook for the MSc IDE programme and is also aimed at professionals globally who need practical, evidence-based strategies to prepare for infectious disease emergencies. The book's content is grounded in real-world applications, offering actionable insights and solutions based on the latest research and field experiences.

The Lancet, one of the most prestigious medical journals in the world, highlighted the book's comprehensive approach to infectious disease preparedness, praising its real-world applicability and its potential to become the "backbone for courses and training" in public health and outbreak response.

"Infectious Disease Emergencies: Preparedness and Response is a crucial resource, taking readers through the key components of an effective outbreak response. Informed by lessons from COVID-19 and other disease outbreaks, this book provides the essential knowledge needed for global health professionals and policymakers." - The Lancet, Vol 405, 1 February 2025