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African National Public Health Institutes Responses to COVID-19: Innovations, Systems Changes, and Challenges
Sue Binder1, Alex Riolexus Ario1, Hervé Hien1
1Sue Binder, MD, is Senior Advisor for Public Health Practice; Amandine Zoonekyndt, MPH, is a Program Coordinator; Callie McLean is a Graduate Research Assistant; Katherine Seib, MSPH, is Director of Programs; and Ellen A. Spotts Whitney, MPH, is Director; all at the International Association of National Public Health Institutes, Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Callie McLean is also a Graduate Research Assistant, Rollins School of Public Health; Emory University; Atlanta, GA. Alex Riolexus Ario, MD, is Director, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda. Hervé Hien, MD, PhD, MPH, is Director General, National Public Health Institute, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Natalie Mayet, MD, MPhil, is Deputy Director, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa. Ilesh V. Jani, MD, PhD, is Director General, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique. Chikwe Ihekweazu, FFPH, MPH, is Director General and Elsie Ilori, MSc, is Director, Surveillance and Epidemiology Department; both at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, Nigeria. Ebba Abate, PhD, MSc, is Director General, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Sabin Nsanzimana, MD, PhD, MSc, is Director General, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda. William Yavo, PharmD, PhD, is Deputy Director, Training and Research, Institut National de Santé Publique, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Wemboo Afiwa Halatoko, MD, MPH, MSc, is Director, Institut National d'Hygiène, Lomé, Togo. Shiva Murugasampillay, MD, is Director, Global Public Health, Geneva, Switzerland. Claude Millogo, MD, is a Consultant, International Association of National Public Health Institutes, Global Health Institute, Emory University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Edris Nikjooy, MS, is a Project Manager and Anne-Catherine Viso, PhD, is Director, International Association of National Public Health Institutes; Edris Nikjooy is also a Project Manager and Anne-Catherine Viso is Deputy to the Secretary-General, Science and International Office, Santé publique France; all in Saint-Maurice, France.
National public health institutes (NPHIs) in Africa innovated during COVID-19, enhancing capacity and partnerships. Challenges like workforce shortages and inequities persist, requiring sustained investment for future preparedness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Global Health Security
Background:
- National public health institutes (NPHIs) are crucial governmental agencies for health system response.
- The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to global public health infrastructure.
- African NPHIs' experiences during the pandemic offer valuable insights into public health system resilience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To capture and analyze the experiences of African National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To identify innovative strategies employed by NPHIs in response to the pandemic.
- To highlight persistent challenges and areas for future investment in public health infrastructure.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research through listening sessions with NPHI leadership across Africa.
- Supplementary review of existing literature on NPHI pandemic responses.
- Analysis of innovative approaches, successes, and challenges encountered by NPHIs.
Main Results:
- NPHIs in Africa implemented innovative solutions, including private sector collaboration for supplies and technology for information dissemination (e.g., drones).
- Positive outcomes include enhanced laboratory capacity, modernized surveillance, and strengthened public-private partnerships.
- Key challenges include shortages in specialized staff (e.g., bioinformaticians), need for inter-agency data sharing, and impact on non-COVID-19 health services.
Conclusions:
- African NPHIs demonstrated significant adaptability and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Sustained investment is critical to address workforce gaps, improve data sharing, and mitigate health inequities.
- Strengthening NPHIs and public health infrastructure is essential for future pandemic preparedness and response.