Brazzaville – In a significant move to strengthen health security across the African Region, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) has announced the establishment of an Emergency Preparedness & Response Technical Advisory Group (EPR-TAG). This independent body is set to become the principal advisory entity to WHO AFRO, providing strategic guidance on all aspects of public health emergency preparedness and response.
The formation of the EPR-TAG marks a pivotal development aimed at enhancing the resilience of health systems within the WHO African Region, which faces over 100 health emergencies annually. These emergencies often disrupt economies, impede community prosperity, and strain already fragile health systems. With the added pressures of climate change and conflict exacerbating more than half of Africa’s health crises, the next pandemic is not a mere possibility but an imminent threat. Thus, bolstering emergency preparedness and response capabilities is more critical than ever.
Comprising 16 distinguished experts from a variety of disciplines including epidemiology, public health, global health, vaccinology, pediatrics, nutrition, internal medicine, infectious diseases, program management, healthcare administration, health economics, health communication, and sociology, the EPR-TAG is poised to provide comprehensive and expert advice. This group will assist the WHO AFRO Regional Director in addressing key issues such as the regional context of infectious diseases and other public health emergencies, horizon scanning for new and emerging threats, providing strategic guidance on preparedness, response, and recovery strategies, reviewing progress in implementing regional health security initiatives, and strengthening country ownership and decision-making in emergency response.
Dr. Deo Nshimirimana, a retired WHO medical doctor with extensive expertise in immunization during emergencies, has been appointed as the Chair of the EPR-TAG. Dr. Rebecca Martin, Vice President of Global Health and Director of the Emory Global Health Institute, will serve as the Vice-Chairperson, bringing decades of experience in health security, emergency response, and immunization. Both leaders are expected to guide the EPR-TAG effectively during their initial three-year term.
“The opportunity to lead the EPR-TAG is a great honor, and I am thrilled to be part of this transformative team. I am confident that our collective expertise will significantly contribute to enhancing Africa’s preparedness and response capabilities, ensuring a more resilient defense against ongoing and future health threats. Together, we can make a substantial impact on the well-being of African nations,” remarked Dr. Deo Nshimirimana.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, highlighted the importance of the EPR-TAG in her comments: “The Emergency Preparedness & Response technical group will play a critical role in strengthening our capacity, working collectively with partners, to support countries to prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies while continuing to provide essential health care across the African Region. I look forward, with our team, to leveraging its diverse expertise and independent perspective for the benefit of our Member States.”
The inaugural meeting of this esteemed group is taking place in Saly, Senegal from 16 to 17 July 2024. This gathering signifies a historic moment as the EPR-TAG embarks on its mission to bolster health security throughout the African region. The establishment of the EPR-TAG underscores WHO AFRO’s unwavering commitment to building a stronger, more resilient African Region equipped to face any public health challenge. With expert guidance and a collaborative approach, the EPR-TAG will play a crucial role in safeguarding the health and well-being of millions of people across the continent.
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