ABSTRACT
COVID-19, a public health emergency, has led to substantial loss of human lives worldwide and posed an unparalleled global health threat. The condition has wreaked havoc on both the economy and the social system. Pandemics evoke a nationwide focused response and also test the structure and competence of the health system. The pandemic serves as yet another reminder that we must invest in public health, build national capacity to detect diseases early and respond quickly to emerging infections, improve and respect our national institutions, and base policymaking on evidence. This chapter briefly discusses the epidemiology of the emerging infectious disease COVID-19 and the essential components for the health system's preparedness against a public health emergency. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.