Kenya, 10 regional states to strengthen cross-border disease surveillance

Kenya and 10 countries in the IGAD region are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cross-border surveillance, data sharing and coordinated responses to disease outbreaks as governments seek to bolster regional preparedness for future health emergencies.

Speaking during the National High-Level Stakeholders' Meeting on Strengthening Cross-Border Health Emergency Preparedness and Response in Nairobi, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the agreement will facilitate real-time disease surveillance, harmonise health measures at border points and improve joint resource mobilisation during disease outbreaks.

"Pathogens have no boundaries and diseases too have no boundaries. We have to keep doing surveillance amongst the countries to ensure that everything is well," PS Muthoni said.

She said the region also aims to strengthen Africa's health sovereignty by expanding local manufacturing of medicines and medical supplies, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the continent's dependence on external suppliers.

PS Muthoni also assured Kenyans that the country remains free of Ebola, adding that surveillance has been intensified at border points, healthcare workers continue to receive training and Kenya's laboratory capacity has significantly improved.

Dr. Waqo Gufu Boru, Senior Medical Epidemiologist at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), said the MoU will provide a framework for member states to share critical health data and coordinate responses to emerging epidemics such as Ebola and Mpox.

"This MoU is focused towards strengthening cross-border collaboration and coordination to enhance preparedness and response to health emergencies across the region," Boru said.

Dr. Judith Kose-Otieno, Regional Program Lead at the Africa CDC Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Centre, said the continental health agency is providing technical support to the agreement and expects it to strengthen disease surveillance across the region.

"Diseases don't know boundaries, they don't need visas. There is a risk, but countries are on the lookout, doing surveillance and monitoring everyone crossing their borders," said Kose-Otieno

The regional agreement is expected to improve coordination on disease surveillance, emergency response, procurement of medical supplies and information sharing, reducing the risk of cross-border transmission of infectious diseases.