Globalization and Health (Nov 2024)
Schools of public health as a cornerstone for pandemic preparedness and response: the Africa COVID-19 experience
- Rawlance Ndejjo,
- Honore Kabwebwe Mitonga,
- Woldekidan Amde,
- Grace Biyinzika Lubega,
- Adamson S. Muula,
- Damen Haile Mariam,
- Steven N. Kabwama,
- Sean Mark Patrick,
- Desderius Haufiku,
- Maryam Amour,
- Marc Bosonkie,
- Trasias Mukama,
- Segun Bello,
- Duah Dwomoh,
- Glory Mbe Egom Nja,
- Douglas Bulafu,
- Dabo Galgalo Halake,
- Gasto Frumence,
- Mamadou Makhtar Mbacke Leye,
- Ndasilohenda Katangolo-Nakashwa,
- Samson Wakuma Abaya,
- Issakha Diallo,
- Landry Egbende,
- Netsanet Worku,
- Oumar Bassoum,
- Branly Mbunga,
- David Musoke,
- Hussein Mohamed,
- Ibrahima Seck,
- Julius Fobil,
- Suzanne N. Kiwanuka,
- Olufunmilayo I. Fawole,
- Mala Ali Mapatano,
- Tobias Alfven,
- Lucy Gilson,
- Jacinta Victoria Syombua Muinde,
- Harm van Marwijk,
- Uta Lehmann,
- Niko Speybroeck,
- Margaret Kaseje,
- Rhoda K. Wanyenze
Affiliations
- Rawlance Ndejjo
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
- Honore Kabwebwe Mitonga
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Namibia
- Woldekidan Amde
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape
- Grace Biyinzika Lubega
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
- Adamson S. Muula
- Department of Community and Environmental Health, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
- Damen Haile Mariam
- Department of Health Systems Management & Health Policy, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University
- Steven N. Kabwama
- Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
- Sean Mark Patrick
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria
- Desderius Haufiku
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Namibia
- Maryam Amour
- Department of Community Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Marc Bosonkie
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa
- Trasias Mukama
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
- Segun Bello
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
- Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana
- Glory Mbe Egom Nja
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar
- Douglas Bulafu
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
- Dabo Galgalo Halake
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Umma University
- Gasto Frumence
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Mamadou Makhtar Mbacke Leye
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop
- Ndasilohenda Katangolo-Nakashwa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Namibia
- Samson Wakuma Abaya
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University
- Issakha Diallo
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop
- Landry Egbende
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa
- Netsanet Worku
- Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar
- Oumar Bassoum
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop
- Branly Mbunga
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa
- David Musoke
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
- Hussein Mohamed
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
- Ibrahima Seck
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop
- Julius Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana
- Suzanne N. Kiwanuka
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
- Olufunmilayo I. Fawole
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
- Mala Ali Mapatano
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa
- Tobias Alfven
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet
- Lucy Gilson
- School of Public Health, University of Cape Town
- Jacinta Victoria Syombua Muinde
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo
- Harm van Marwijk
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex University Medical School
- Uta Lehmann
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape
- Niko Speybroeck
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Louvain University (UCLouvain)
- Margaret Kaseje
- Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development
- Rhoda K. Wanyenze
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01087-z
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 20,
no. 1
pp. 1 – 10
Abstract
Abstract Background The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused significant morbidity and mortality in Africa, in addition to other socio-economic consequences. Across the continent, Schools of Public Health (SPHs) played several roles in supporting national, regional, and global response to the pandemic. Following a published and grey literature search, this paper reviews and analyses the contribution of SPHs in Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contribution of the Schools of Public Health SPH faculty in most countries contributed their expertise through COVID-19 task forces and advisory committees where they guided and supported decision-making. Faculty also supported the identification, review, and synthesis of rapidly evolving global and local evidence, adapting it to the local context to guide policy decisions. Through research, SPHs contributed to a better understanding of the disease epidemiology, response interventions, as well as prevention and control measures. SPHs engaged in training field epidemiologists, frontline health workers, and district response teams. SPH staff, students and field epidemiology trainees also supported field activities including surveillance, contact tracing, as well as managing quarantine facilities and points of entry. SPHs engaged in public education and awareness-raising initiatives to share information and dispel misinformation. In partnership with other stakeholders, SPHs also developed important innovations and technologies. Conclusion SPHs are a critical pillar for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, that support health systems with important functions. To further enhance their capacity, efforts to improve coordination of SPHs, strengthen collaboration among schools, harmonize training and curricula, and enhance capacity for advanced research are needed. There is also a need to bridge the inequities in capacity and resources that exist among SPHs across regions and countries.
Keywords
