PAcCI

Context

Pathogens with outbreak potential, including zoonotic types, pose severe hazards to public health. This threat gets aggravated when, simultaneously, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs, decreasing options or making it even impossible to treat. For both occurrences, laboratory surveillance is key – either regarding the investigation of pathogens with epidemic potential or concerning the surveillance of resistant bacteria. To be effective, information needs to be integrated into national health policies and translated into infection prevention and outbreak control measures. This project aims to strengthen this public health capacity in Côte d’Ivoire, a country with an increased risk of zoonotic spillovers, infectious disease outbreaks and AMR. Building on previous projects, such as the GHPP projects TRICE, ARGOS and PASQUALE, it aims to further address the country’s key public health needs. Focussing on strengthening the public health workforce, this project trains public health staff in laboratory surveillance and outbreak investigations. It strengthens infection prevention and control programs and supports the integration of disease control into the national health policy. Further, the project expands the collaboration with the Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinating Committee. All measures improve public health decision-making and thereby ultimately the health and well-being of the population.

Objective

Strengthening national public health capacities in infectious disease surveillance and prevention in Côte d’Ivoire.