by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – LESOTHO is the first African country to deploy technology to fight influenza.
The Afro Influenza (AFFLU) surveillance platform, a cutting-edge initiative, is aimed at boosting the country’s health surveillance system.
This platform, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the African region as an adaptation of the Eastern Mediterranean (EMFLU) Influenza surveillance version, is designed to enhance the collection, management and analysis of both aggregate and case-based data on influenza and other respiratory viruses (ORVs).
AFFLU represents a significant leap forward in the realm of health data management.
It facilitates the sharing of epidemiological and virological data, streamlines data management processes and improves data quality across all levels of the health system.
Muza Tendai, Information Systems Specialist from the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), noted the transformative potential of this platform.
“This surveillance platform will strengthen the country’s respiratory disease surveillance and enable integration capabilities with other surveillance systems and datasets. It will provide real-time and advanced data analytics capabilities, customized to regional and country-specific contexts,” Tendai stated.
To ensure the successful implementation of the AFFLU platform, WHO has trained 18 end-users in Lesotho.
The individuals are tasked with collecting and managing real-time data at four selected surveillance sites within and beyond the Maseru district.
Dr Lieketseng Petcane, on behalf of the Lesotho Ministry of Health, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative.
“It is exciting that we are the first pilot country of this surveillance platform in our region.”
– CAJ News