In a significant stride towards bolstering epidemic intelligence systems in Africa, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has embarked on an ambitious initiative known as the Health Security Partnership to Strengthen Disease Surveillance in Africa (HSPA). This collaborative effort involves partnerships with various countries, including Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, and Namibia, aiming to enhance the capacity for early detection and response to public health threats across the continent. The first phase of this project involved thorough assessments of each participating country’s needs and capacities, allowing for the development of tailored roadmaps. Phase II, currently in progress, focuses on putting these prioritized strategies into action. Recently, two foundational training sessions in Public Health Intelligence (PHI) were conducted in Tunisia and Morocco, marking a pivotal advancement in the implementation of the capacity-building activities outlined in these roadmaps.
Advancing Public Health Intelligence in Tunisia
Between May 18 and 22, RKI ZIG1, in collaboration with Tunisia's Observatoire National des Maladies Nouvelles et Émergentes (ONMNE), conducted a comprehensive PHI Foundations training in Tunis. This initiative was supported by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO) and the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence. The training is part of the broader PHI Capacity Building and Innovation (PHI-CBI) Project, which includes a collaboratively developed Public Health Intelligence Competency Framework and Curriculum. This framework is crucial as it aligns with the PHI Foundations Training, ensuring that the content is not only relevant but also highly applicable to Tunisia’s specific public health context, including its priority threats and institutional responsibilities. Bringing together professionals from various sectors, the training fostered discussions on integrated surveillance and response strategies, emphasizing a holistic approach to public health.
Participants engaged in a dynamic workshop on Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS), benefiting from shared experiences between the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health and RKI. The session allowed for a rich exchange of insights on integrating event-based and indicator-based surveillance systems, enhancing the participants' understanding of how these methodologies can coexist within national frameworks. The collaborative environment fostered by the involvement of various partners enabled attendees to compare strategies, address practical challenges, and draw lessons from diverse public health landscapes.
Strengthening Public Health Intelligence for Rapid Response in Morocco
A second training session was held in Rabat from July 20 to 24, hosted by RKI and Morocco’s Direction de l'Epidémiologie et de Lutte contre les Maladies (DELM), again with the support of WHO EMRO. Similar to the Tunisian training, this program was customized to fit Morocco's national context, leveraging the jointly developed PHI Competency Framework. Participants from Morocco's national rapid response team explored fundamental aspects of public health intelligence, considering how various information sources and surveillance methodologies can enhance timely detection, assessment, and response capabilities.
The training also facilitated a valuable exchange of knowledge, with contributions from colleagues in Tunisia and Lebanon, linking the sessions to ongoing epidemic intelligence initiatives in the region. Insights from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and WHO EMRO on the integration of artificial intelligence within public health intelligence provided a forward-looking discussion on the potential and implications of emerging AI technologies in public health contexts. This inter-institutional collaboration underlines the HSPA's aim to foster networks among institutions and promote technical exchanges across partner countries and international organizations.
These training sessions exemplify the practical translation of the strategic roadmaps developed during Phase I of HSPA into actionable steps during Phase II. While both programs are grounded in a common PHI training curriculum, they were distinctly tailored to reflect the unique priorities, structures, and experiences of Tunisia and Morocco. The collaborative efforts of diverse stakeholders—including Tunisia’s ONMNE, Morocco’s DELM, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, WHO EMRO, the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, ECDC, and RKI—enhanced the programs with a variety of operational insights and perspectives, setting the stage for ongoing dialogue and collaboration beyond the training itself.
This comprehensive approach not only aids in developing technical capacities but also fosters stronger connections among individuals and institutions engaged in epidemic intelligence. Such partnerships are vital for building sustainable systems capable of identifying, assessing, and addressing public health threats effectively.
As reported by rki.de.
