1. Leveraging human resources for outbreak analysis: lessons from an international collaboration to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response
- Author
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Sara Botero-Mesa, Flavio Codeço Coelho, Kenechukwu Nwosu, Bertil Wicht, Akarsh Venkatasubramanian, Olena Wagner, Camille Valera, Benedict Nguimbis, Daniel Câmara, Izabel Reis, Lucas Bianchi, Morteza Mahdiani, Papy Ansobi Onsimbie, Papa Amadou Niang Diallo, Léa Jacques, Artur Manuel Muloliwa, Moussa Bougma, Leckson Mukavhi, Adit Kaneria, Ram Peruvemba, Ajay Gupta, Isotta Triulzi, Ananthu James, Verena Carrara, Wingston Ngambi, Zahra Habibi, Michael Tedros Adhanom, Sabina Rodriguez Velásquez, Paolo Sestito, Timokleia Kousil, Loza Biru, Daniela Vivacqua, Jyoti Dalal, Anatole Mian, Maroussia Roelens, Erol Orel, Cristina Barroso Hofer, Fatihiyya Wangara, Franck Mboussou, Tamayi Mlanda, Arish Bukhari, Theresa Min-Hyung Lee, Roland Ngom, Beat Stoll, Cleophas Chimbetete, Jessica Abbate, Benido Impouma, and Olivia Keiser
- Subjects
Pandemic ,Sub-Saharan Africa ,COVID-19 ,Data management ,Health emergency ,Outbreak ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Workforce ,Humans ,Public Health ,Africa South of the Sahara ,Disease Outbreaks - Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases are a growing threat in sub-Saharan African countries, but the human and technical capacity to quickly respond to outbreaks remains limited. Here, we describe the experience and lessons learned from a joint project with the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) to support the sub-Saharan African COVID-19 response.In June 2020, WHO AFRO contracted a number of consultants to reinforce the COVID-19 response in member states by providing actionable epidemiological analysis. Given the urgency of the situation and the magnitude of work required, we recruited a worldwide network of field experts, academics and students in the areas of public health, data science and social science to support the effort. Most analyses were performed on a merged line list of COVID-19 cases using a reverse engineering model (line listing built using data extracted from national situation reports shared by countries with the Regional Office for Africa as per the IHR (2005) obligations). The data analysis platform The Renku Project (https://renkulab.io) provided secure data storage and permitted collaborative coding.Over a period of 6 months, 63 contributors from 32 nations (including 17 African countries) participated in the project. A total of 45 in-depth country-specific epidemiological reports and data quality reports were prepared for 28 countries. Spatial transmission and mortality risk indices were developed for 23 countries. Text and video-based training modules were developed to integrate and mentor new members. The team also began to develop EpiGraph Hub, a web application that automates the generation of reports similar to those we created, and includes more advanced data analyses features (e.g. mathematical models, geospatial analyses) to deliver real-time, actionable results to decision-makers.Within a short period, we implemented a global collaborative approach to health data management and analyses to advance national responses to health emergencies and outbreaks. The interdisciplinary team, the hands-on training and mentoring, and the participation of local researchers were key to the success of this initiative.
- Published
- 2022