Strengthening epidemiological services and health systems in the ECOWAS region

active

The FC project aims to support the West African Economic Community ECOWAS in setting up a regional epidemiological surveillance system by equipping reference laboratories. To this end, a regional financing mechanism is to be set up to strengthen the reference laboratories at the West African Health Organization (WAHO). This is to be used to procure laboratory equipment and strengthen related capacities. In addition to Nigeria, the focus in Phase I is expected to be on existing laboratories in Burkina Faso and Niger (possibly Côte d'Ivoire), which are to be supported in their further expansion into reference laboratories. In a second phase, the approach is to be expanded to other countries. The FC approach is part of a large-scale epidemic prevention system that is to be expanded by ECOWAS and its member countries with the support of the donor community, not least as a consequence of the recent Ebola epidemic. The target group of the project is the population in the ECOWAS region, with a focus on the countries of Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria in a first phase. The secondary target group is the laboratory staff in the selected laboratory facilities, who will benefit from training and improved laboratory equipment for high-quality services. The project is sponsored by WAHO, the health organization of the West African Community of States ECOWAS. The approach will be supported over a period of three years with a funding volume of EUR 10 million.