Strengthening Cross-Border Health Surveillance in Africa

The article from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) titled “New Strategic Framework for Strengthening Cross-border Surveillance and Information Sharing across the African Union Member States” outlines key initiatives aimed at enhancing public health security in Africa through cross-border surveillance and information sharing. This new Strategic Framework is a vital response to the growing public health threats driven by population movements and globalisation.

Africa Cross- Border Strategic Framework

On July 18, 2024, Africa CDC launched the Strategic Framework, which is specifically designed to strengthen cross-border surveillance and information sharing among African Union Member States. Moreover, it addresses the increasing frequency and severity of public health threats that transcend borders, emphasising the importance of collaboration.

Cross- Border Surveillance Challenges in Africa

The framework identifies several challenges that hinder effective cross-border public health responses, including:
– Limited cross-border coordination and collaboration mechanisms.
– Weak health infrastructure and services at borders and points of entry.
– Inadequate capacity and skills among staff for identifying and responding to health threats.
– Informal, unmanned, and unmonitored border crossing points.
– Cultural issues and language barriers.

Interventions for Cross-Border Health Surveillance

To tackle these challenges, the framework outlines several interventions:
– Strengthening cross-border surveillance systems.
– Enhancing timely information and data sharing.
– Improving health infrastructure at entry points.
– Training and equipping staff, including immigration, security, and port health officers.
– Promoting robust early detection of infectious diseases, emergency preparedness, and response.
– Enhancing infection control programs and the capacity of healthcare workers at national and regional levels.

Implementation and Support

The implementation of the framework will benefit from existing African Union policies, legal instruments, civil societies, technical health partners, and research institutions. Africa CDC will provide necessary support for the dissemination and implementation of this strategic framework, ensuring public health security and resilience across Africa.

Stakeholders and Coordination

This framework is designed for various stakeholders, including ministries responsible for human, animal, and environmental health, trade, immigration, foreign affairs, National Public Health Institutes (NPHI), academia, and other relevant organisations. It emphasises the critical need for direct technical support, coordination, collaboration, information sharing, advocacy for increased funding, and mechanisms for peer review to promote cross-cutting learning and evaluation.

Global and Regional Collaboration

Altogether, the framework emphasises the need for strong collaboration among member states, including Regional Economic Communities, and technical partners. Furthermore, it highlights the role of international partners, in enhancing the capacity to respond to public health emergencies.

In conclusion, this strategic framework aims to improve the health of mobile populations and communities along international borders by mitigating and preventing cross-border public health threats through enhanced surveillance, robust information sharing, and coordinated responses. By implementing these key initiatives, Africa CDC is taking significant steps to safeguard health in the face of emerging challenges.