Health emergencies preparedness and response strengthening in Togo

The Project aims to enhance the preparedness and resilience of Togo’s public health system to health emergencies. Specifically, it focuses on improving systems for early detection, warning, and response to epidemics and pandemics; enhancing the functionality and quality of the national laboratory network for diagnosing diseases with epidemic potential; improving human and animal health capacities for effective public health emergency preparedness.

Implementation and key components

The Project will be overseen by a National Steering Committee, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Security, decentralized authorities, and port and maritime authorities. The Project’s activities are organized into three main components:

Strengthening early warning systems and surveillance
Enhancing the DHIS2 platform by digitizing early detection systems and integrating animal health data. Activities include developing contingency plans for points of entry, reinforcing community-based surveillance with a One Health approach, creating an antimicrobial resistance surveillance plan, conducting simulation exercises, and establishing regional and district storage and delivery capacities for health emergencies (FAO, UNICEF, WHO).

Improving laboratory network functionality and quality
Focusing on secure transport of biological samples, developing standard operating procedures, providing equipment and training, and strengthening laboratory quality control. The Project will also develop a national genomic surveillance strategy, support sustainable infection prevention and control in health facilities, and implement biosafety and biosecurity measures in laboratories (FAO, UNICEF, WHO).

Strengthening workforce capacity
Building capacity for health workers (epidemiologists, lab technicians, veterinarians, veterinary technicians) and community stakeholders (health workers, livestock auxiliaries, leaders, traditional healers). This includes simulation exercises to enhance logistical preparedness at regional and district levels (FAO, UNICEF, WHO).

Additional support
The Project will also improve cross-border surveillance coordination within the International Health Regulations (IHR) framework, strengthen national coordination for health emergency preparedness and response (PPR), and mobilize additional funding to sustain and expand PPR activities (UNICEF, WHO).

Expected outcomes

The Project aims to significantly enhance Togo’s capacity to manage health emergencies by improving early warning and response systems, upgrading the national laboratory network for better disease diagnosis, and strengthening workforce capabilities in both human and animal health sectors. These advancements are expected to reduce the health, social, and economic impacts of future health emergencies in Togo. Additionally, the Project will focus on mobilizing further resources to ensure the sustainability and expansion of preparedness and response activities, ultimately contributing to a more resilient and effective public health system.