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Pandemic Preparedness News

Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region

The EAC Secretariat and the EAC Partner States have declared the fight against infectious diseases a health priority for the region. The “Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region” project, being implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Government, assists the EAC Secretariat to improve the regional preparedness and response capacity. It contributes to putting the East African Community regional contingency plan into practice and to implementing the regional risk and crisis communication strategy.

The project also advises the Secretariat on the sustainable integration of ‘One Health’. This approach involves professional disciplines and sectors of society that play an important role in preventing and responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and in mitigating its impact.

The project offers technical expertise and builds capacity with the overall aim of strengthening EAC in its coordinating and advisory role for the Partner States in pandemic preparedness. It is practice-oriented and pursues a participative approach. The project contributes to a uniform, effective, responsible and balanced approach to pandemic preparedness at the regional and national government level.

Documents

EAC Regional Strategy and Plan

           EAC Standard Operating Procedures

PanPrep Press Catalogues

          PanPrep Project Publications

 

 

Videomaterial

COVID-19 Reponse

Air Travel in the 'new normal': Training of airport staff in the EAC region on the prevention of and response to COVID-19

 

 

Highlights films on Cross border Field Simulation between Kenya and Tanzania, June 2019.
 

Diseases Do Not Respect Borders - A highlights film on Cross border Field Simulation between Kenya and Tanzania, June 2019.

 
 

The Role of Points of Entry in Pandemic Preparedness.
 

Speaking with One Voice -The role of risk and crisis communication in pandemic prevention and response.

 

Timothy Wesonga - My lessons learned from the field simulation exercise
 

Cross-border disease outbreak simulation exercise reinforces preparedness in East Africa



Managing Infectious Disease Outbreaks across sectors -  the role of One Health in Pandemic Preparedness

Cross Border Field Simulation Exercise - Feedback from Participants

 
Lessons for the Future – What East African experts learned from fighting Ebola in West Africa, International Conference in Nairobi, 2017:
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Disease Prevention and Control Unit

The disease prevention and control unit is addressing the following key strategic interventions:

  • Establishing EAC regional information exchange system for communicable and non-communicable diseases;
  • Establishing a supranational regional reference public health laboratory and strengthening national public health laboratories;
  • Strengthening promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services for non-communicable diseases; and
  • Strengthening the capacity of EAC Partner States to diagnose and treat communicable and non-communicable diseases.

In line with the interventions listed above, the Disease Prevention and control unit is currently, implementing two projects. These are:

The East African Public Health Laboratory Networking Project (EAPHLNP)

The EAPHLNP is a World Bank-funded project that is being implemented by the EAC Partner States in collaboration with the East African Community Secretariat, the East Central and Southern Africa Health Community, the US Centres for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organization. The objective of the project is “to establish a network of efficient, high quality, accessible public health laboratories for the diagnosis and surveillance of Tuberculosis and other communicable diseases”.

The project supports 25 satellite laboratories in East Africa. The laboratories have been selected by the EAC Partner States based on their proximity to or location in border areas which are known to have large numbers of vulnerable populations, including migrants and / or refugees; high risk of disease outbreaks; and, are predominant with indigenous populations. The EAPHLNP aims to achieve the following:

  • Enhanced access to diagnostic services for vulnerable groups to contain the spread of diseases in the border areas;
  • Improved capacity to provide specialised diagnostic services and conducting drug resistance monitoring at regional level;
  • Improved capacity for disease surveillance and emergency preparedness efforts through the availability of timely laboratory data to provide early warning of public health events; and
  • Establishing a platform for conducting training and research.

 

The East African Integrated Disease Surveillance Network (EAIDSNet)

 The EAIDSNet is a regional collaborative initiative of the national ministries of the EAC Partner States responsible for human and animal health, in collaboration with the national health research and academic institutions. With implementation support by the Rockefeller Foundation, the main objectives of the initiative are:

  • Enhance and strengthen cross-country and cross-institutional collaboration through regional coordination of activities for the prevention and control of both human and animal (zoonotic) diseases under the “One Health” Initiative;
  • Promote exchange and dissemination of appropriate information on Integrated Disease Surveillance and other disease control activities;
  • Harmonise integrated disease surveillance systems in the region;
  • Strengthen capacity for implementing integrated disease surveillance and control activities; and
  • Ensure continuous exchange of expertise and best practices for integrated disease surveillance and control.

 

Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region

 The EAC Secretariat and the EAC Partner States have declared the fight against infectious diseases a health priority for the region. The “Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region” project, being implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Government, assists the EAC Secretariat to improve the regional preparedness and response capacity. It contributes to putting the East African Community regional contingency plan into practice and to implementing the regional risk and crisis communication strategy.

The project also advises the Secretariat on the sustainable integration of ‘One Health’. This approach involves professional disciplines and sectors of society that play an important role in preventing and responding to outbreaks of infectious diseases and in mitigating its impact.

The project offers technical expertise and builds capacity with the overall aim of strengthening EAC in its coordinating and advisory role for the Partner States in pandemic preparedness. It is practice-oriented and pursues a participative approach. The project contributes to a uniform, effective, responsible and balanced approach to pandemic preparedness at the regional and national government level


About Editorial Board | Contact


 Volume 2 | Issue 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REVIEW ARTICLES

COVID-19 Awakening: Preparedness, Readiness and Response during the pandemic
Daniel William Kitua, Andrew Y Kitua

Tracking characterization of Mycobacterium strains in Tanzania and some sub-Saharan African Countries: An overview on genotyping studies, implication and trends in advancing technology
Erasto Mbugi, Bugwesa Katale, Julius Keyyu, Sharon Kendall, Anita L Michel, Hazel M Dockrell, Mark Rweyemamu, Paul D van Helden, Mecky Matee

Ethnopharmacology, Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Aristolochia Bracteolata Lam: A Review of An Antimalarial Plant
Lina S Mathew, Andrew G. Mtewa, Clement Ajayi, Serawit Deyno, Anke Weisheit, Casim Umba Tolo, Arop L. Deng, Patrick Engeu Ogwang

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Ethnopharmacology, Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Aristolochia Bracteolata Lam: A Review of An Antimalarial Plant

Emmanuel Kamgobe, Simone Grote, Martha F. Mushi, Damas Wilson, Letticia Gandye, Oliver Bader, Stephen E. Mshana, Uwe Grob

The prevalence of antibodies to Hepatitis B core antigen among blood donors in a tertiary institution in Nairobi County, Kenya
Festus Mulakoli, Michael Gichure

Antibacterial Spectrum and Susceptibility of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Diarrheal Illnesses: Cross Sectional Study of Patients Visiting Health Facility in Lake Victoria Region – Kenya
Makwaga Olipher, Muyodi Johnstone, Muthami Anne, Malela Joseph, Mokaya Tom, Matilu Mwau

Etiology Agents and Antibiotic Susceptibility profile of Cerebrospinal Meningitis: Retrospective Description of Surveillance Data in Rwanda
Celestin Musabyumuremyia, Therese Umuhoza, Ella Larissa Ndoricyimpaye, Gilbert Ntaganira, Naasson Tuyiringire

Low exposure to Plasmodium faciparum compromises acquisition of antibodies to circumsporozoite protein antigens in individuals living in western highlands of Kenya with unstable malaria transmission
Michael Kisongochi Walukhu, Michael M Gicheru, Robert Nyukuri Wanjala.

Candida albicans infection among HIV positive and HIV negative women- Case study at Butare University Teaching Hospital (CHUB), Southern province of Rwanda
Ella Larissa Ndoricyimpaye, Tuyishime Obed, Habiyakare Jean Claude, Manishimwe Jean d’Amour, Ntwali Denyse, Rutayisire Reverien.

Role of Gamma Glutamyltransferase and Alkaline Phosphatase Assay in Enzymatic Panel for Hepatobiliary Function in Patients Attending Kibungo Hospital, Rwanda
Mutijima Jean Berchmasa, Niyonzima Niyongabo Francois

Combined Effects of Carica Papaya Seeds with Albendazole on Adult Pheritima Posthuma

Muunda Mudenda, Musubire Brian Justus, Nassali Gloria, Shumbusho Esdras, Atim Veronica, Ssematimba Patrick, Kebirungi Pheonah, Atwijukire Evans, Okella Hedmon

Plants extract concoction from Capsicum annuum, Citrus sinensiss, Tagetes Minuta and Allium sativum: A potent killer bedbugs

Michael Kisongochi Walukhu, Robert Nyukuri Wanjala


ABOUT EASci

East Africa Science (EASci) publishes scientific research and innovation in health including clinical trials (on investigational medicinal products, devices, and diagnostics), application of health technologies and solutions, and other related matters. It promotes research innovation, development of innovative ideas, application of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in health, and the application of knowledge from health research innovations. EASci contains peer-reviewed articles, original articles, reviews, short communications, surveys, commentaries, opinions, book reviews, supplementary issues, essays and reports related to advancement in health and medical sciences.

East Africa Science (EASci) is a no-fee, open-access, peer-reviewed journal published online at www.eahealth.org. It is published two times per year by the East African Health Research Commission. EAHRC, which is based in Bujumbura, Burundi is an institution of the East African Community (EAC). EAC is an East African Regional Economic Community with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. EASci is editorially independent and does not necessarily represent the views or positions of the East African Community.

East Africa Science is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are properly cited. To view a copy of this license, visit: http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/. For further information, please contact the editors at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Gibson Kibiki, MD, MMed, PhD, Executive Secretary, East African Health Research Commission, Burundi


ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Jacqueline Aber, MSc, Mbarara University, Uganda

Happiness H. Kumburu, PhD, Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Tanzania

Lina Sara Mathew, MSc, Baharel Ghazal University, South Sudan

Irene Mremi, MSc, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania

Ella Larrissa Ndoricyimpaye, MSc, University of Rwanda, Rwanda

Sandra Nkurunziza, MD, MPH, University of Burundi, Burundi

Ramadhani Nyandwi, MSc, University of Burundi, Burundi

Violet Asiko Ongaya, MSc, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya

Naasson Tuyiringire, MSc, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Rwanda


MANAGING EDITOR

Steve Wandiga, PhD, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya

COPY EDITORS

Prof Eligius Lyamuya, MD, PhD, Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences, Tanzania

Dr Kijakazi Mashoto, DDS, Mphil, PhD, National Institute for Medical Research, Tanzania

Dr Jenny Renju, MSc, PhD, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , London

 EDITORIAL BOARD

Prof Bennon Asiimwe, PhD, Mbarara University, Uganda

Dr Quirijn de Mast, MD, PhD, Radboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands

Prof Stephen Gillespie, MD, FRCP, University of St Andrews, UK

Prof Ben Hamel, MD, PhD, Radboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands

Prof Scott Heysell, MD, University of Virginia, USA

Prof Eric Houpt, MD, University of Virginia, USA

Prof Sam Kariuki, PhD, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya

Prof Pierre Claver Kayumba, PhD, University of Rwanda, Rwanda

Dr John Kiiru, PhD, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya

Prof Eligius Lyamuya, MD, PhD, Muhimbili University of Health & Allied Sciences, Tanzani

Prof Ole Lund, PhD, Technical University, Denmark

Dr Stephen Magesa, PhD, President’s Malaria Initiatives, Tanzania

Dr Alphaxard Manjurano, PhD, National Institute for Medical Research, Tanzania

Dr Quirijn De Mast, MD, PhD, Radboud University Medical Center,

Dr Stella Mpagama, MD, PhD, Kibong’oto Infectious Diseases Hospital, Tanzania

Prof Leon Mutesa, MD, PhD, University of Rwanda, Rwanda

Dr Jean de Dieu Ngirabega, MD, PhD, East African Health Research Commission, Burundi

Prof Joseph Nyandwi, MD, PhD, University of Burundi, Burundi

Prof Stephen Rulisa, MD, PhD, University of Rwanda, Rwanda

Dr Wilber Sabiiti, PhD, University of St Andrews, Scotland

Prof Thor Theander, MD, DSc, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Prof David P Towers, PhD, University of Warwick, UK

Prof Andre van der Ven, MD, PhD, Radboud University Medical Centre, The Netherlands

Prof Mirjam van Reisen, PhD, Leiden University, The Netherlands

Prof Alimuddun Zumla, MD, FRCP, University College London, UK

Prof Ruth Zadoks, PhD, Glasgow University, Scotland


CONTACT

For further information, please contact the editors at: eahrc-admin[at]eahealth.org


CREDITS

   EAHRC logo        eac logo copy 1

 

EAC Cross-Border Field Simulation Exercises

The EAC region has experienced a number of outbreaks of infectious diseases in the past. These include Ebola, Rift Valley, Marburg and Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic fevers, Cholera, Polio, Hepatitis A and B and many more. Six out of ten are zoonosis, diseases which are transmitted between animals and humans. In order to prevent outbreaks that can jeopardize public health, economic stability and the lives and livelihoods of the EAC region, Partner States need to be prepared. Simulation exercises play a key role in analysing the state of pandemic preparedness and response capacities. They help to identify strengths and weaknesses and the necessary corrective actions.

Against this backdrop, the EAC Secretariat conducted a cross-border table top exercise (TTX) from 4 - 5 September 2018. A cross-border field simulation exercise (FSX) followed from 11 - 14 June 2019 at Namanga on the Kenya Tanzanian border. The exercise involved representatives from the EAC Partner States, especially from Kenya and Tanzania, and followed the One Health approach. The simulation aimed to assess both regional and national contingency plans and standard operating procedures, readiness and compliance with the International Health Regulations.

A simulation exercise is a form of practice, training, monitoring or evaluation of capabilities involving the description or simulation of an emergency, to which a described or simulated response is made. Simulation exercises can help to develop, assess and test functional capabilities of emergency systems, procedures and mechanisms.

Simulation exercises are training and quality assurance tools, which provide an evidence-based assessment for monitoring, testing and strengthening of functional capacities to respond to outbreaks and public health emergencies. As a training tool, they allow participants to learn and practice emergency response procedures in a safe and controlled environment. As a quality assurance tool, exercises test and evaluate emergency policies, plans and procedures. Simulation exercises play a key role in the development and implementation of preparedness and response capacities at all levels (national, regional, community and global) and have been identified as a key component in the validation of core capacities under the International Health Regulations monitoring and evaluation framework (2015).

The simulations were facilitated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Government through the “Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region” (PanPrep) project. The World Health Organization (WHO) led and coordinated the process. Further, international organisations cooperated in the exercises to use joint forces and utilize synergies. A task-based Steering Group (SG) oversaw the preparations and an Exercise Management Group (EMG) designed, planned and implemented the exercise.

This page provides core documents and other materials related to the Table Top and the Field Simulation Exercises.

Documents


National Strategies and Plans

          

Cross-border Field Simulation Exercise Documents

 
Lessons Learned

 

Videomaterial

Highlights films on Cross border Field Simulation between Kenya and Tanzania, June 2019.
 

Diseases Do Not Respect Borders - A highlights film on Cross border Field Simulation between Kenya and Tanzania, June 2019.

 
 

The Role of Points of Entry in Pandemic Preparedness.
 

Speaking with One Voice -The role of risk and crisis communication in pandemic prevention and response.

 

Timothy Wesonga - My lessons learned from the field simulation exercise
 

Cross-border disease outbreak simulation exercise reinforces preparedness in East Africa

 

Managing Infectious Disease Outbreaks across sectors -  the role of One Health in Pandemic Preparedness

Cross Border Field Simulation Exercise - Feedback from Participants

 

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East African Community
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