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Measuring Timeliness of Outbreak Response in the World Health Organization African Region, 2017-2019.

ABSTRACT: Large-scale protracted outbreaks can be prevented through early detection, notification, and rapid control. We assessed trends in timeliness of detecting and responding to outbreaks in the African Region reported to the World Health Organization during 2017-2019. We computed the median time to each outbreak milestone and assessed the rates of change over time using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. We selected 296 outbreaks from 348 public reported health events and evaluated 184 for time to detection, 232 for time to notification, and 201 for time to end. Time to detection and end decreased over time, whereas time to notification increased. Multiple factors can account for these findings, including scaling up support to member states after the World Health Organization established its Health Emergencies Programme and support given to countries from donors and partners to strengthen their core capacities for meeting International Health Regulations.

SUBMITTER: Impouma B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7588517 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Measuring Timeliness of Outbreak Response in the World Health Organization African Region, 2017-2019.

Impouma Benido B Roelens Maroussia M Williams George Sie GS Flahault Antoine A Codeço Claudia Torres CT Moussana Fleury F Farham Bridget B Hamblion Esther L EL Mboussou Franck F Keiser Olivia O

Emerging infectious diseases 20201101 11

Large-scale protracted outbreaks can be prevented through early detection, notification, and rapid control. We assessed trends in timeliness of detecting and responding to outbreaks in the African Region reported to the World Health Organization during 2017-2019. We computed the median time to each outbreak milestone and assessed the rates of change over time using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. We selected 296 outbreaks from 348 public reported health ...[more]

PMID: 33079032

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Project description:BackgroundIn the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, many cases of serious and preventable diseases remain unmanaged because appropriate and good quality diagnostic support is not available at all levels within countries' health systems. Diagnostic and laboratory services influence the efficiency and effectiveness of both clinical and public health functions, including diagnosis, treatment, health promotion, disease prevention, surveillance and response, and research. Essential to global health security, these services are vital to decision-making processes by clinicians, epidemiologists, public health specialists, and health policymakers. To update, promote, and reinforce diagnostic and laboratory services, it was deemed necessary to organize consultation meetings. These consultation meetings hosted: national diagnostic and laboratory directors or heads of units within ministries of health; officers in charge of laboratories from WHO country offices; representatives of the WHO African Regional Office (AFRO) clusters, units, and Headquarters; experts; and strategic partners. This article details the consultation meetings hosted in Lomé, Togo from 14 to 17 June 2022 and in Kigali, Rwanda from 5 to 7 July 2022.MethodsAlthough the two meetings were made distinct due to their different operating languages-French and English, respectively-each consultative meeting sought to engage participants in the same thematic areas of discussion, thus containing the same presentations and areas of discussion. This article compiles the presentations of both meetings, where a total of 85 individuals attended, reflecting 30 countries in the African Region.ResultsSummaries of technical presentations at both meetings are provided, which have the following titles: (1) "AFRO: new vision for the laboratory sector;" (2) "WHO strategies for strengthening laboratories;" (3) "Collaborative registration process for in vitro diagnostic products: introduction and implementation;" (4) "Status of diagnostics and laboratory regulations in the African Region;" (5) "Health technology management;" (6) "The Global Laboratory Leadership Programme;" (7) "Model list of essential in vitro diagnostic devices;" (8) "Primary health care & laboratory and diagnostic services;" (9) "Antimicrobial resistance control and laboratory systems;" and (10) "Integrated laboratory systems' contributions to disease control programmes."DiscussionFollowing the technical presentations, thematic exchanges were planned around six key areas, with one country presenting their experiences per theme, both at the meeting held in French and for the meeting held in English. Therefore, two countries' experiences are detailed around each of the six thematic areas, which are: laboratory governance (Guinea and Sierra Leone), laboratory policy and planning (Togo and Zimbabwe), regulation and legislation (Senegal and Ghana), partnerships (the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria), management of laboratory technology (Gabon and Zambia), and national laboratory networks (Burkina Faso and Rwanda).ConclusionThrough these meetings, laboratory leaders were able to not only learn from best practices and anticipate challenges for their own respective countries, but also benefit from joining a platform for laboratory leaders to foster cross-country connections for the duration of their careers. Ultimately, these meetings signal the beginning of many fruitful collaborations and opportunities in the African Region in laboratory and diagnostic services.

Project description:BackgroundAchieving financial risk protection for the whole population requires significant financing for health. Health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are plagued with persistent underfunding, and recent reductions in official development assistance have been registered. To create fiscal space for health, the pursuit of efficiency gains and exploring innovative health financing for health seem attractive. This paper sought to synthesize available evidence on the nature of innovative health financing instruments, mechanisms and policies implemented in Africa. We further reviewed the factors that hinder or facilitate implementation, the lessons learnt on the structure, the development process and the implementation.MethodsWe conducted a systematic scoping review of the literature to analyze the nature, type, and factors impacting the implementation of innovative health financing mechanisms in the World Health Organization (WHO) African region.ResultsInnovative health financing mechanisms are increasing in the WHO African region as a result of international policy, the need to improve healthy eating and social life of the populace, advocacy and the availability of international mechanisms to which countries can subscribe. The 41 documents included in this review reported ten innovative financing mechanisms in 43 out of the 47 WHO Africa region member states. The most common mechanisms include an excise tax on tobacco products (43 countries) and alcoholic beverages and spirits (41 countries), airline ticket levy (18 countries), sugar-based beverages tax (seven countries), and levy on oil, gas and mineral tax (four countries). Other mechanisms include the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) trust fund, the social impact bond, the financial transaction tax, mobile phone tax and equity funds. Funds generated from many mechanisms are not allocated to health, although some portions are allocated to health-related activities. In some countries where mechanisms implemented are public health-related, emphasis is placed on positive health behavior beyond raising funds. Persistent resistance from industries due to conflicting economic policies is a major challenge.ConclusionsLeveraging international policies and setting up intersectoral committees to develop and implement innovative mechanisms that involve excise taxes are recommended as possible solutions to the conflicts of interest.

Dataset Information

Measuring Timeliness of Outbreak Response in the World Health Organization African Region, 2017-2019.

Publications

Measuring Timeliness of Outbreak Response in the World Health Organization African Region, 2017-2019.

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