In response to a growing Mpox outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Burundi, the East African Community (EAC) has mobilized its Rapidly Deployable Expert (RDE) Pool.
The initiative, which reflects the EAC’s heightened focus on regional health security, is being implemented in partnership with Germany’s Epidemic Preparedness Team (SEEG), deploying specialized teams to the affected areas over the next six months.
The first official deployment was flagged off by the EAC Secretary General, Veronica Nduva, alongside Marcus von Essen, Head of the East Africa Division at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Representatives from both the DRC and Burundi embassies, as well as an expert from the RDE Pool, attended the event to affirm the critical role of cross-border collaboration in curbing infectious diseases.
“The EAC Rapidly Deployable Expert Pool is a key measure in strengthening our regional health systems and ensuring we are prepared for public health emergencies.
This deployment highlights our commitment to respond to the pressing needs of our Partner States, such as the DRC and Burundi, who are bearing the brunt of this outbreak,” said Nduva.
The EAC’s deployment of experts comes in response to an official request from the Provincial Ministry of Health of South Kivu Province in the DRC, with the goal of addressing the region's Mpox epidemic and strengthening local health systems.
Following an initial SEEG mission in June 2024, the joint deployments will focus on infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, risk communication strategies, laboratory diagnostics, and addressing critical shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies.
A Regional Health Threat Demands Coordinated Action
By October 2024, the DRC had reported over 7,000 confirmed Mpox cases, with approximately 40% of these cases occurring in children under 15.
The virus has since spread across Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, heightening concerns about the outbreak’s impact on public health and economic stability.
Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony, Burundian Ambassador to Tanzania, Leontine Nzeyimana, emphasized the importance of regional preparedness.
“This GIZ-supported initiative is of great benefit to Burundi and the EAC countries,” said Nzeyimana.
“Reflecting on previous disease outbreaks, we realize the devastating consequences that come when we are unprepared, affecting not only our citizens but also our economies and societies.”
She added, “We still feel the pain of COVID-19. If we had had access to equipment and training like we do now, the damage would not have been as severe. Now, even if we face any new outbreak, we are better prepared and equipped to tackle it.”
Louis Kisombo Manzombi from the DRC Embassy to Tanzania echoed these sentiments, underscoring the significance of regional cooperation: “This support from GIZ will be of great benefit to our country. It demonstrates the power of unity and solidarity in overcoming shared challenges.”
Speaking on behalf of GIZ, Marcus von Essen highlighted the importance of continued collaboration in building resilient health systems across East Africa.
“This partnership aims to build sustainable local capacities and enhance regional coordination to respond swiftly and effectively to health threats.
By strengthening the health infrastructure and training frontline personnel, we ensure that the EAC Partner States can address and contain public health crises in a timely and coordinated manner,” said von Essen.
He reiterated GIZ’s commitment to supporting the EAC in its mission to safeguard the health and well-being of all citizens in the region.
Strengthening the EAC’s Public Health Capacity
The EAC RDE Pool was established following the 18th EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health's decision in 2019 to create a system for rapid, coordinated responses to disease outbreaks across member states.
Lessons learned from the 2014-2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak underscored the importance of having a multidisciplinary, cross-border response mechanism in place.
In June 2024, the EAC Secretariat held a Tabletop Simulation Exercise (TTX) with the Africa CDC, WHO, and SEEG in Nairobi, Kenya, to test the RDE Pool’s deployment capabilities, further integrating regional response mechanisms in coordination with Africa CDC’s AVoHC-SURGE initiative.
BMZ has also invested in mobile laboratories across EAC states, enhancing diagnostic capabilities during disease crises.
Since 2016, approximately EUR 25 million has gone towards establishing 10 mobile labs, which have proven essential in managing outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Ebola outbreak in Uganda, and the 2023 Marburg outbreak in Tanzania.
BMZ, through GIZ, has also supported the establishment of 43 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in key border areas, increasing community awareness and training health personnel.
Regional Health Security Remains a Priority
The EAC RDE Pool, now expanded to include over 140 experts, is expected to be instrumental in mitigating the impact of the Mpox outbreak and ensuring regional public health security. This initiative is part of a broader effort to protect health, livelihoods, and economies within the EAC region.
By deploying resources and expertise, the EAC and its partners demonstrate a unified approach to tackling regional health challenges, ensuring that communities and healthcare providers are better prepared to handle future public health emergencies.
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