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African One Health e-Surveillance Initiative

Description

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can enhance public health surveillance (PHS) by facilitating the digital exchange of information. Electronic surveillance (e-Surveillance) is the use of electronic systems to empower the digitization of PHS functions of prevention, detection, and response. E-Surveillance maximizes compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005), enables efficient Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response, and empowers One Health.

In Africa, e-Health is hindered by donor-funded, short-term projects known as “pilotitus.” Proactive national leadership is required to establish a sustainable e-Surveillance program; an assessment and a strategic plan are the first steps.

Therefore, the One Health e-Surveillance Initiative (OHSI) was conceived and piloted by Public Health Practice, LLC (PHP) and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), with support by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Objective

1) To establish One Health workgroups and conduct an e-Surveillance assessment to inform national strategic planning efforts in pilot countries. 2) To provide evidence for the African Surveillance Informatics Governance Board (ASIGB) to address its mission of establishing e-Surveillance.

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