The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC) has intensified its fight against the 67 new outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases within ECOWAS.
The development which marks an increase of 31.37% compared to 2023 has led to the commencement of the process of establishing a Technical Advisory Council (TAC), a key pillar for ensuring that the actions of the ECOWAS RCSDC, are guided by scientific excellence and global best practices in public health.
To actualize this, a two-day meeting was held in Abuja to assess the epidemiological situation, finalize the terms of reference, and develop a strategic action plan for the TAC.
The meeting gathered key stakeholders, including representatives of the ECOWAS Commission President, Oumar Alieu Touré; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, Musa Sani Nuhu; and the World Health Organization (WHO), among others.
Speaking at the event, RCSDC Executive Director Mamadou Diarrassouba emphasized the region’s ongoing health challenges, exacerbated by climate change, socio-political tensions, and humanitarian crises.
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He highlighted how past outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19 have had widespread economic and social repercussions beyond the health sector.
According to Diarrassouba, the ECOWAS RCSDC’s 2024 annual report identified 67 new disease outbreaks, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and response mechanisms.
He stressed that health security is integral to regional economic integration, a recognition that led to the RCSDC’s establishment by the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
As an autonomous agency under the West African Health Organization (WAHO), he added that the RCSDC’s mission is to support member states in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, risk communication, and resilience-building against epidemic shocks.
“The establishment of TAC is a strategic move to enhance governance and ensure that RCSDC’s activities are grounded in scientific rigor and regional needs.
“With the support of all stakeholders, RCSDC remains committed to strengthening prevention, detection, and response strategies for health threats in our region.
“With its close collaboration with all stakeholders, the RCSDC is committed to implementing strategies to strengthen prevention, detection, and response to health threats in our region,” Diarrassouba said.
Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, described TAC as more than just a statutory body but a dynamic platform for scientific exchange and technical expertise.
Represented by Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director General Jide Idris, he emphasized that TAC’s members comprising regional and international public health experts will provide strategic recommendations to the RCSDC Executive Director and Governing Board.
“The contributions of TAC members will be crucial in pooling critical knowledge, ensuring responsive regional strategies, and fostering continuous innovation and collaboration,” he added.
The Director of the West African Regional Coordination Centre of Africa CDC, Kokou Alinon, noted that TAC would play a key role in supporting RCSDC’s mandate.
He expressed confidence that the Council’s expertise would bolster regional health security through strategic guidance and technical support.