By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) West Africa Regional Office on Monday opened a four-day review meeting in Abuja aimed at strengthening public-health preparedness, regional cooperation, and emergency response capacity across the sub-region.

The Africa CDC Regional Review Meeting brings together National Public Health Institute (NPHI) directors, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) heads, surveillance experts, laboratory specialists, and international development partners to assess progress, share best practices, and refine strategies for building resilient health systems in West Africa.

The meeting also marks the first anniversary of Dr. Kokou Alinon’s appointment as Regional Director of Africa CDC for West Africa. The Abuja-based regional office oversees coordination among 15 West African member states.

Dr. Alinon said the review session provides a platform to evaluate achievements, set new targets, and strengthen cooperation among ECOWAS countries.

“In one year, we were able to visit 14 of our 15 member states, interacting with national public health institutions, laboratory and surveillance directors,” he said. “Countries will present progress made and learn from one another in terms of lab systems, surveillance, and NPHI establishment.”

He noted that Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Liberia currently hold Centre of Excellence status for public-health capacity, adding that lessons from these countries will help shape priority areas for West Africa in 2026.

Dr. Alinon further explained that Africa CDC’s regional engagement has been robust, although a planned visit to Guinea-Bissau was postponed due to security concerns. He emphasized that insights shared during the meeting would guide regional priorities, including enhanced surveillance, improved laboratory networks, and accelerated NPHI development.

On emergency readiness, he underscored coordination as central to Africa CDC’s strategy.

“We connect all 15 member-state Emergency Operations Centers and are working with WHO, ECOWAS, and partners on an Emergency Preparedness and Response Framework,” he said, noting that implementation is expected to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, Muriel Mafico, commended the shift toward proactive preparedness.

“Investing in preparedness will help us save money, save lives, and respond in a timely way,” she said.

Mafico outlined four key pillars for strengthened preparedness: national and regional leadership, domestic financing, cross-border collaboration, and data-driven decision-making. She stressed that community engagement remains crucial.

“This is not about technical skills only. It’s also about how we engage communities in their own awareness around preparedness,” she added.

Also speaking, Dr. Yusupha Touray, Permanent Secretary of Health for The Gambia and Chair of RITAC for the Africa CDC Western Region, said the meeting underscores the importance of solidarity.

“We have some of the best brains, yet we suffered when we needed vaccines from others. Working collectively is the right way forward,” he said.

He cited successful cross-border collaboration between The Gambia and Senegal in containing suspected Ebola and yellow fever cases, demonstrating how coordinated responses can curb outbreaks swiftly. He also highlighted the region’s growing vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, noting that countries like Ghana and Senegal are making significant progress.

“Pooling our resources will ensure easier access to these critical supplies,” he said.

With emerging disease threats across Africa and globally, the Abuja meeting positions West African countries to act proactively rather than reactively. Its outcomes are expected to shape the region’s public-health agenda for 2026 and beyond, strengthening health systems, accelerating emergency readiness, and improving outcomes for millions across the sub-region.