from ODIRILE TOTENG in Gaborone, Botswana
Botswana Bureau
GABORONE, (CAJ News) – EIGHT Southern African countries have embarked on a landmark drive to boost emergency preparedness and response systems amid increasing climate-related health threats.
Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are advancing their capacity to protect public health, and respond to emergencies.
This is with financial support from the Pandemic Fund and technical assistance from World Health Organization (WHO).
The US$35-million, three-year programme is aimed at supporting these countries as they strengthen national and regional systems for early warning, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics and workforce development.
A formal launch event is planned for next month.
To date, all eight countries have convened multi- disciplinary National Steering Committees and undertaken a detailed microplanning activity with key stakeholders.
Furthermore, initial funds have been disbursed to countries.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Acting WHO Director for Africa, said this investment represented a vital turning point for Southern Africa, a region on the frontlines of the climate and health crisis.
“Countries now have a unique opportunity to develop systems that are robust, responsive and resilient to emerging threats,” said Ihekweazu.
Five of the countries involved in the initiative – Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe – rank among the world’s 50 most vulnerable nations to infectious diseases.
Many also face high climate risk, compounded by structural challenges such as weak infrastructure, limited resources and high levels of cross-border migration.
– CAJ News