Michigan continues to lead the nation in public health preparedness

LANSING, MI--The Michigan Strategic National Stockpile (MISNS) Plan scored 100 percent during a recent in-depth assessment conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a national program aimed at distributing and dispensing large quantities of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical supplies, and equipment during an emergency. This is the third consecutive year the MISNS has achieved the highest possible rating. ''When state and local supplies are exhausted, we have a solid plan in place to receive medical supplies and distribute them rapidly across the state to ensure Michigan residents will be well cared for,'' said Olga Dazzo, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health( MDCH). In June, Michigan's SNS Team submitted the state's plan to the CDC for evaluation. Michigan has maintained a perfect score of 100 percent since 2009. The MDCH activated the MISNS Plan during the nationwide response to the 2009 novel H1N1 Influenza A pandemic. Michigan received multiple shipments of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies from the CDC and rapidly redistributed them to local health departments and regional medical coordination centers across the state of Michigan. The MDCH Office of Public Health Preparedness (OPHP) is the lead state agency to ensure that medical countermeasures from the Strategic National Stockpile are provided to treatment centers, hospitals, and local health departments during a major disease outbreak or other public health emergency. ''We have focused diligently on preparedness through various stages of planning, exercises, and response,'' said Dr. Jacqueline Scott, Director of the OPHP. ''Much of our success in developing a high scoring SNS plan can be attributed to the emphasis on multi-agency coordination and collaboration at the state, regional, and local levels.'' MDCH maintains product quality control procedures within the MISNS Plan and coordinates MISNS activities with other state response agencies and volunteer organizations. The Michigan State Police, Michigan National Guard, Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Pharmacists Association, Michigan Public Health Institute, commercial pharmacies, and the Michigan Wing of the Civil Air Patrol play a significant role in volunteering their time and support to SNS operations. The receipt, stage and storage warehouse is operated by state staff and volunteers. The MDCH exercises the activation of the facility annually to ensure that it is prepared. The local health departments and hospitals throughout Michigan are also closely reviewed and evaluated to ensure that they are prepared to receive SNS assets from the state and that those resources will effectively reach individuals in the community. These activities are supported and coordinated through Community Health Emergency Coordination Center. To learn more about the Office of Public Health Preparedness, visit www.Michigan.gov/ophp. For information about family and individual preparedness, visit www.Michigan.gov/prepare. For volunteer opportunities, visit www.mivolunteerregistry.org. Copyright © 2011 State of Michigan Published: Mon, Sep 26, 2011