Integrated Epidemiological Surveillance - Phase II

Results achieved as of the final project report include: After more than 15 years of support (including two previous phases) over 800 health officers have been trained which created a network of 309 epidemiological surveillance centres providing 100% coverage in five West African countries. The purpose of this network is to provide primary health care and to decentralize health information and resources. The World Health Organization (WHO) and others now recognize this network as a very effective way to lay the foundations for decentralizing a health care system. Each country has thus identified the schools to provide training on epidemiological surveillance and training guides on epidemiological surveillance; as well as an answer key have been produced. The five countries were also able to establish a harmonized training program in epidemiology. Furthermore the compiled and analysed epidemiological data required for a response is now available.