{"id":3539,"date":"2025-06-25T15:35:57","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T15:35:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/santemonde.org\/2025\/06\/25\/35-ans-de-surveillance-epidemiologique\/"},"modified":"2025-06-26T19:50:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T19:50:49","slug":"35-ans-de-surveillance-epidemiologique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santemonde.firmecreative.com\/en\/2025\/06\/25\/35-ans-de-surveillance-epidemiologique\/","title":{"rendered":"35 Years of Epidemiological Surveillance: A Local Approach for Global Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1990, as the AIDS epidemic hit Francophone Africa hard, Sant\u00e9 Monde stepped in to support countries in strengthening their ability to detect and respond to health threats. This marked the beginning of a journey spanning more than three decades \u2014 driven by innovation, collaboration, and tangible results.<\/p>\n

Milestones Along the Way<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1990-1998: The First Steps<\/strong><\/p>\n

It all began with the Epidemiological Surveillance Support Project (PAS\u00c9)<\/span>, backed by Canadian cooperation. Five West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Niger) trusted us to improve the collection and analysis of quality health data, through training and information-sharing programs.<\/p>\n

This is when the concept of the Centres for Epidemiological Surveillance Center (CES)<\/span> was born, a groundbreaking idea that quickly became Sant\u00e9 Monde\u2019s signature approach. This methodological innovation laid the foundation for the organization\u2019s future work and has been continuously refined through each new project.<\/p>\n

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What is a CES?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A CES acts like a local \u201ccommand center\u201d that brings together health professionals \u2014 field agents, lab technicians, and more \u2014 to monitor diseases in a targeted region. Instead of working in silos, they collaborate, share data, and respond more quickly. These interdisciplinary teams are trained, equipped, and supported to implement the WHO\u2019s Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy effectively.<\/p>\n

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1999-2011: The Digital Era<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the launch of the Integrated Epidemiological Surveillance Support Project (PAS\u00c9i)<\/span>, new technologies came into play. CES’ were connected, and data flowed more efficiently. Later, through PAS\u00c9i 2, we helped five countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger) integrate epidemiology training into their national public health schools. The goal? To ensure sustainable, autonomous skills transfer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe idea of training nurses specialized in epidemiology\u2014who can think critically about how to collect data, conduct initial analyses, and transmit information under the best possible conditions\u2014is what helped us build our capacity to respond to epidemic-prone diseases.\u201d<\/p>\n

– Adama Traor\u00e9, Secretary General, Ministry of Health, Burkina Faso (2009)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2014-2017: A Regional Vision<\/strong><\/p>\n

The<\/span> West Africa Regional Disease Surveillance (WARDS<\/em>) project<\/span><\/span>, funded by the World Bank, opened the doors to the ECOWAS region. We adapted our approach to 15 countries, working alongside the CDC, Fondation M\u00e9rieux, WHO, the University of Oslo, and the University of Ghana.<\/p>\n

2017-2024: Continued Expansion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recognized for its expertise, Sant\u00e9 Monde was invited to contribute to the World Bank\u2019s Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE)<\/span><\/a> programme, allowing us to go even further. Through successive mandates, we deployed nearly 150 new CES’ across 10 countries. We refined our methods, continued to rely on local expertise, and expanded into Central Africa with projects in Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis [program] strengthened national and provincial capacities in epidemiological surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, public health emergency management, human resource development, and multisectoral coordination. Thanks to the commitment of all partners [including Sant\u00e9 Monde] significant progress has been made in health security.\u201d<\/p>\n

– Dr. Dominique BAABO KUBUYA, National Coordinator, Health System Development Program, DRC (2025)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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What We’ve Achieved Together<\/strong><\/h3>\n