The Central Africa Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Network (RISLNET) has ushered in a new era of health security with the appointment of new board members and the adoption of a strategic operating framework at a workshop held in Libreville, Gabon, from March 28–29.
For the next two years, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Equatorial Guinea will serve as chair and vice-chair, respectively. The reforms are part of a broader effort to align the network’s operations with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Africa CDC) new strategic priorities.
“A high-quality laboratory and surveillance system is crucial because of the burden of disease and the large number of epidemics that occur on the continent,” said Dr. Brice Wilfried Bicaba, Director of Africa CDC’s Central Africa Regional Coordination Centre.
RISLNET, established in 2018, plays a critical role in epidemic prevention, early detection, and response across Central Africa. The revamped framework includes seven focus areas, such as data sharing, emergency preparedness, laboratory capacity, and research support.
The Libreville meeting comes as the region grapples with 30% of the continent’s epidemics. Experts from member states discussed integrated approaches to tackling health threats. “Our objectives were achieved,” said Dr. Mourou Jean-Romain of Gabon’s Health Ministry.
“The new framework enables better synergy between labs and surveillance systems.”
RISLNET has already trained hundreds of health professionals and deployed data managers during the mpox epidemic. Laboratory capabilities have expanded significantly in countries like DRC, where the number of labs screening for mpox jumped from two to 12.
With new leadership and structure, RISLNET Central Africa is poised to become a model for regional health surveillance and response.
Source:AfricaCDC
