Strengthening Integrated Disease Surveillance & Response in Liberia
As a state party to the International Health Regulations (IHR), Liberia is legally bound to build its capacities to detect, prevent and respond to health risks. In the aftermath of the Ebola outbreak, a strong focus was given to the development of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) and community based surveillance systems. The Liberian Ministry of Health has finalized the 3rd edition of the Liberian guidelines for IDSR in 2021 and started with its distribution and training in December with support from the German International Cooperation (GIZ).
Health Focus has been commissioned by the GIZ to strengthening IDSR in the Southeast of Liberia. The objective is to be achieved primarily by coordinated multilevel capacity building and preparedness coordination measures to foster the implementation of the integrated and standardized service package for Community Event Based Surveillance (CEBS) and the roll-out of the forthcoming 3rd edition of the Liberian guidelines for IDSR in the three targeted counties: Maryland, Grand Kru and River Gee. The core of the assignment is two sets of cascade training (CEBS and IDSR) and follow-up activities from national down to community level.
The project started with the kick-off workshop on 26th of January at national level. The main stakeholders in Liberia’s IDSR landscape were invited to create a shared understanding of MoH/NPHIL and GIZ/ Health Focus strategies and future activities with regards to IDSR / CEBS and agreed on key milestones for implementation for 2022.
