National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS)

In December 2024, Luxembourg participated in the European Public Health Emergency Preparedness Assessment (PHEPA), conducted every three years in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 on serious health threats.

The report highlighted strengths and areas for improvement in the health sector, covering sixteen key capabilities.

The National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) constitutes the structured response to these recommendations, developed in accordance with the WHO’s methodological framework and based on the ‘One Health’ approach.

The NAPHS, through its intersectoral and interministerial approach aimed at strengthening Luxembourg’s preparedness and response to any health crisis, is fully aligned with the National Resilience Strategy coordinated by the High Commission for National Protection.

A structured strategic framework

The NAPHS sets the national direction for health security for the coming years. It falls within the framework of the International Health Regulations (established by the WHO) and the European health threat management system.

It aims to sustainably strengthen the resilience of Luxembourg’s health system in the face of health crises, whether epidemic, environmental, accidental or linked to other emerging risks. It is also fully aligned with Luxembourg’s national resilience strategy.

The plan covers all 16 capacities assessed under the PHEPA, including crisis governance, surveillance, laboratories, human resources management, crisis communication and zoonotic diseases.

A concrete and operational action plan

Beyond its strategic focus, the NAPHS is a detailed operational tool. Each recommendation arising from the PHEPA has been subject to a structured analysis by experts from various Luxembourg administrations and bodies, including an assessment of its impact, feasibility and prioritisation.

These recommendations are broken down into specific actions, accompanied by: the identification of responsible entities, associated stakeholders, defined deadlines, expected deliverables, and implementation monitoring.

The plan thus comprises a set of action sheets ensuring traceability between the initial assessment and the measures implemented. This approach ensures clarity of responsibilities, consistency of interventions and the ability to assess progress made.

The NAPHS therefore serves as both a strategic roadmap and an operational management tool.

Governance and implementation

The implementation of the NAPHS is coordinated by the Health Directorate, through the Emergency Preparedness and Response Service and the Health Protection Unit.

Sixteen technical groups, corresponding to the assessed capabilities, contribute to monitoring the actions. A steering committee ensures the strategic coherence of the plan across all technical groups, whilst a decision-making committee guarantees its institutional validation.

This structure enables the integration of technical expertise, cross-sectoral coordination and strategic decision-making.

Improvement and Reassessment

The NAPHS forms part of the three-year cycle set out in Regulation (EU) 2022/2371, which means that every three years a new PHEPA assessment is carried out and new recommendations are formulated. Based on these recommendations, the NAPHS is updated (or, where necessary, a new NAPHS is drawn up).

This cycle ensures continuity between the assessment of national capabilities (PHEPA), the implementation of corrective actions, regular monitoring of progress and the preparation of the next assessment cycle.

Furthermore, the plan is designed as a living document. It can be adapted in light of lessons learnt, simulation exercises, post-crisis reviews and evolving health risks.