NCDI-MH_Surv

Strengthening Surveillance for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Injuries and Mental Health (MH) in the African Region

Context

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental disorders are on the rise globally; 80% of annual deaths from NCDs occur in low and middle-income countries. In 2019, NCDs, including mental disorders, caused over 2.1 million premature deaths, and more than 204 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were lost due to NCDs on the African continent. This represents an increase of 21% since 2007. NCD, injury and mental disorder prevention and control require reliable, timely and integrated data. In line with the ‘Africa CDC Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries Prevention and Control and Mental Health Promotion Strategy (2022-26)’, Africa CDC supports African Union (AU) Member States in their efforts to strengthen national NCD, injuries and mental health (MH) surveillance and to build integrated health information systems. In the second GHPP funding phase, Africa CDC and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) are working together to identify strengths, good practices and gaps in NCDI/MH surveillance on the African continent. The results will be translated into a continent-wide guidance document intended to strengthen national NCDI/MH surveillance systems. Furthermore, in recognition of the need for continuity of NCD and MH care in public health crises, Africa CDC and RKI will develop a guidance document for the integration of NCDs and MH into national emergency preparedness and response plans.

Objective

Strengthening surveillance systems for improved data availability and evidence-informed decisions on non-communicable diseases, injuries and mental health in African countries.

Thematic priorities

  • Resolutions and international agreements
  • Strengthening of public health systems
  • Surveillance and reporting

Facts

Duration

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2023

Budget

ca. 200,000 EUR

In Cooperation with

  • Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)

Implementing Institution

Robert Koch Institute

Contact

Dr. Angela Fehr
Robert Koch Institute (RKI)
Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany
fehra@rki.de

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Activities

  • Training and competence development

    Strengthening methodological capacity through peer-to-peer exercises; promoting sustainable knowledge growth, using collaborating countries as regional multipliers in follow-on activities; enabling and fostering the use of good practices in NCD/MH inclusion in national EPR documents.

  • Research and provision of evidence

    Facilitating peer-to-peer situational analyses of NCDI/MH surveillance in selected AU Members States, using adapted and contextualised WHO and IANPHI assessment tools; developing a guidance document intended to strengthen national NCDI/MH surveillance; identifying national EPR plans that address the topics of NCDs/MH and developing a continent-wide guidance document for NCD/MH integration in EPR plans.