Schools of public health as a cornerstone for pandemic preparedness and response: the Africa COVID-19 experience.

Oumar Bassoum, 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, Marc Bosonkie, Branly Mbunga, Hussein Mohamed, Ibrahima Seck, Suzanne N Kiwanuka, Olufunmilayo I Fawole, Lucy Gilson, Jacinta Victoria Syombua Muinde, Uta Lehmann, Margaret Kaseje, Duah Dwomoh, Rhoda K Wanyenze, David Musoke, Adamson S Muula, Segun Bello, Julius Fobil, Maryam Amour, Trasias Mukama, Rawlance Ndejjo, Niko Speybroeck, Tobias Alfven, Harm van Marwijk, Mala Ali Mapatano, Honore Kabwebwe Mitonga, Woldekidan Amde, Grace Biyinzika Lubega, Damen Haile Mariam, Steven N Kabwama, Sean Mark Patrick, Desderius Haufiku

Journal: Globalization and health 2024;20(1):82

PMID: 39574151

Free Full Text on BioMed Central View on PubMed

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.

Address: Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. [email protected].; School of Nursing and Public Health, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia.; School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.; Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.; Department of Community and Environmental Health, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi.; Department of Health Systems Management & Health Policy, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.; School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.; Department of Community Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.; Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.; Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.; Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.; Department of Public Health, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda.; School of Nursing and Midwifery, Umma University, Kajiado, Kenya.; School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.; Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal.; Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.; Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.; Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.; Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.; Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.; School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.; Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.; Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex University Medical School, Sussex, UK.; Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), Louvain University (UCLouvain), Brussels, Belgium.; Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development, Kisumu, Kenya.

DOI: 10.1186/s12992-024-01087-z

Link outs

Free resources

Full Text Sources:

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/covid19coronavirusdisease2...

Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-BRIP1-5

MeSH Terms: Humans, COVID-19, Africa, Schools, Public Health, Public Health, Pandemics, Pandemic Preparedness