Collaboration has strengthened disease surveillance, response

The current risk remains moderate, with partners and governments working to prevent transmission within and across borders. However, vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines are crucial to mitigating the threat of these infectious diseases.

The proximity and frequency of these outbreaks raise concerns about potential cross-border transmission. The mobility of people and goods across borders presents both a challenge and an opportunity in controlling the spread of infectious diseases.

The porous borders and frequent movement of goods and trucks facilitate the spread of diseases like Ebola, which can quickly cross into neighbouring countries.

How would you assess the response of governments and organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) in containing these outbreaks? Are there specific gaps?

Collaboration among stakeholders has strengthened disease prevention, surveillance, testing and response efforts. For instance, Uganda is conducting a clinical trial for a Sudan strain vaccine, with support from the WHO and IAVI (International Aids Vaccine Initiative).

Vaccination, contact tracing and infection control are underway, but regional preparedness is crucial to manage multiple, overlapping disease outbreaks effectively.

What are the key weaknesses in Africa’s health supply chain affecting its ability to respond effectively to the recurring disease outbreaks across the continent?

The main challenges we see are in governance and accountability. We still have fragmented and unreliable data, which affects decision-making and investments in health systems. Additionally, there is a need for better training of supply chain workers to ensure effective healthcare delivery.

From our experience, health systems must have three essential qualities to be truly responsive: availability when needed, including for hard-to-reach communities; adaptability to shocks and stresses like Covid-19 and other outbreaks; and the ability to respond to the needs and preferences of at-risk communities.

Countries that strategically and continuously invest in responsive primary care based on these principles can strengthen their supply chains and improve healthcare delivery to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

Looking at the Covid-19 response, do you think the efficiency of that time has been carried over to the current outbreaks?

Lessons were learnt, and real-life systems were put in place. Is it sufficient? No. We still need more investments, especially from governments and partners. But the progress is evident. Take Uganda, for example.

By December, they had already initiated processes and launched a vaccination campaign against the Marburg virus in record time. That level of proactive response, including swift clinical trials and collaboration among governments, ministries and international partners, shows that we are moving in the right direction.

Still, more investment is needed to strengthen systems further and ensure they remain responsive in the long-term.

How effective has Africa been in sharing outbreak information among governments?

Regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community facilitate meetings and information-sharing. Organisations such as the WHO and Africa CDC also have country offices that coordinate responses.

During outbreaks, real-time communication happens among affected countries. However, what we need is stronger political will, action and accountability.

We must prioritise the needs of under-reached communities—whether in remote far-flung villages or urban slums—so that disease incidences are reported in time. Workforce challenges are a major issue, infrastructure and amenities are inadequate in hard-to-reach areas.

Community involvement is also crucial because when people trust the system, they are more likely to report cases and participate in interventions.

The priorities should be in ensuring a well-trained and motivated workforce, investments in essential supplies and medicines.

With anticipated reduction in global health funding, what strategies should African countries adopt to sustain funding?

Governments must take ownership of their health investments. External partners can provide support, but national governments have the primary responsibility to ensure sustainable healthcare funding.

Investing in health workers, strengthening supply chains and fostering regional partnerships are critical. Global collaboration remains important— outbreaks do not respect borders. Countries must continue working together to prevent and contain public health threats.

What key steps should African countries take to prevent, detect and respond to future outbreaks?

The focus should be on responsive health systems with three core qualities: availability, ensuring healthcare reaches even the most remote areas; adaptability, building systems that can withstand shocks like pandemics; and community engagement, factoring in the needs of at-risk populations. Strategic, long-term investments in primary healthcare will address supply chain weaknesses and improve overall health outcomes.

Final thoughts?

Our organisation, VillageReach, believes in partnerships and collaboration. Scaling up solutions requires governments and partners working together. The goal is to build sustainable health systems that improve lives and ensure long-term resilience against future health challenges.