The Preparedness and Resilience to Emerging Threats (PRET) initiative, launched in April 2023, is enhancing Africa’s capacity to respond to respiratory pathogen threats through an innovative, coordinated, and multi-sectoral approach. The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa reaffirmed its commitment to support Member States to integrate respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness into national health systems. This support aligns with the 5Cs of the global health emergency preparedness, prevention, response and resilience (HEPR) Framework: Collaborative Surveillance, Emergency Coordination, Access to Countermeasures, Clinical care and Community Protection.
Supported by the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution, the PRET initiative has been introduced to 21 countries in the African Region since its global launch. Developing on work initiated at multi-country workshops in Brazzaville, Congo, Praia, Cabo Verde and Kampala, Uganda in 2023, a further nine countries successfully organized national workshops in 2024. These drew on participation from diverse stakeholders including from the health and animal health sectors, as well as from the wider community. They reviewed the gaps and bottlenecks that impede their respective national public health systems from preventing, detecting and responding to respiratory pathogens threats. They were also able to explore crucial lessons from the recent COVID-19 pandemic, helping to shape future plans.
While national governments remain the primary actors and first line of defense during an infectious disease threat, the involvement of other partners who work on the ground contributed to the success of the workshops. This was exemplified during a tabletop simulation exercise conducted in South Africa where more than 100 participants shared insights and expertise which lead to a refinement of the country’s pandemic preparedness plan.
Some comments from participants included:
“This plan will allow the country to better prepare for a possible pandemic and to build on concrete experiences within communities.”
Dr Bossou Gaspard, Guinea Bissau
“Using the PRET approach was instrumental in identifying key priorities and actionable recommendations to be put in place.”
Telstar Ghestin Ndong Mebaley, One Health focal point, National Public Health Laboratory of Gabon
“I found the PRET checklist tool very useful and enjoyed the quality of discussions during the workshop. I look forward to testing our plan once ready.”
Maimouna Louis, MOH Mozambique
One immediate outcome of these efforts is the alignment of national action plans and pandemic fund proposals with WHO’s preparedness recommendations, enabling a more cohesive response to respiratory threats. As countries continue to express interest, WHO AFRO is committed to supporting tailored pandemic plans that address specific regional challenges.
Respiratory pandemics such as those caused by influenza viruses continue to top the list of global health threats, and the PRET initiative’s focus on integrated, resilient and sustainable preparedness is crucial. WHO AFRO is steadfast in scaling up support to Member States and ensuring that Africa is better prepared for the next respiratory pandemic.