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Review
. 2024 Nov 21;20(1):82.
doi: 10.1186/s12992-024-01087-z.

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

Rawlance Ndejjo  1 , Honore Kabwebwe Mitonga  2 , Woldekidan Amde  3 , Grace Biyinzika Lubega  4 , Adamson S Muula  5 , Damen Haile Mariam  6 , Steven N Kabwama  7 , Sean Mark Patrick  8 , Desderius Haufiku  2 , Maryam Amour  9 , Marc Bosonkie  10 , Trasias Mukama  4 , Segun Bello  11 , Duah Dwomoh  12 , Glory Mbe Egom Nja  13   14 , Douglas Bulafu  4 , Dabo Galgalo Halake  15 , Gasto Frumence  16 , Mamadou Makhtar Mbacke Leye  17 , Ndasilohenda Katangolo-Nakashwa  2 , Samson Wakuma Abaya  18 , Issakha Diallo  17 , Landry Egbende  10 , Netsanet Worku  19 , Oumar Bassoum  17 , Branly Mbunga  10 , David Musoke  4 , Hussein Mohamed  20 , Ibrahima Seck  17 , Julius Fobil  21 , Suzanne N Kiwanuka  22 , Olufunmilayo I Fawole  11 , Mala Ali Mapatano  10 , Tobias Alfven  23   24 , Lucy Gilson  25 , Jacinta Victoria Syombua Muinde  26 , Harm van Marwijk  27 , Uta Lehmann  3 , Niko Speybroeck  28 , Margaret Kaseje  29 , Rhoda K Wanyenze  4
Affiliations
Review

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

Rawlance Ndejjo et al. Global Health. .

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: Africa; COVID-19; Research; Schools of public health; Training.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Roles played by SPHs in Africa pre-, during, and post- the COVID-19 pandemic
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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