Supporting preparedness for an H1N1 influenza pandemic

Project description

Title: Appui à une préparation multisectorielle contre la grippe A (H1N1) au Burkina Faso
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation
Country: Burkina Faso
Lead executing agency: Ministry of Health
Overall term: 2011 to 2012

Context

In order to contain a pandemic early on, a good national pandemic plan is indispensable. It guarantees that organisations and stakeholders (such as ministries, the police and hospitals) know their roles and can assume responsibility in the event of a pandemic. Optimal planning and preparation contribute substantially to mitigating potential impacts.

In Burkina Faso, a pandemic plan meeting the special challenges posed by a flu pandemic (influenza A) was prepared for the first time in 2009. However, during a subsequent simulation of an outbreak, it became clear that the plan failed to adequately clarify the responsibilities in the context of multisectoral cooperation. In addition, it turned out that only the Ministry of Health, the United Nations and the Red Cross were adequately prepared for a pandemic. Furthermore, the simulation revealed a lack of awareness of the need for business continuity planning at both the institutional and state levels, as well as at the private level.

Objective

The functionality and implementation of the pandemic plan are enhanced through the integration of a multisectoral approach. The national disaster prevention agency Conseil National de Secours d’Urgence et de Réhabilitation (CONASUR) and the participating ministries and partners are strengthened. The pandemic plan particularly takes at-risk groups into account.

Approach

The project is being implemented by the WHO Burkina Faso in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

In order to clearly define responsibilities in the event of a pandemic, the current flu pandemic plan is being extended to incorporate a multisectoral approach and updated accordingly.

In two workshops, in which different ministries as well as non-governmental organisations will take part, roles and responsibilities of the individual stakeholders will be defined and cross-sectoral cooperation agreed. The revised plan will be reviewed on the basis of a second simulation of an outbreak and again adapted as necessary.

Since some population groups already have limited access to medical care even under normal circumstances, they are particularly at risk in the event of a pandemic. For this reason, a study is being conducted that aims to identify the particularly at-risk groups. The study will be used to develop strategies to specifically take these groups into account in the pandemic plan.

On behalf of BMZ, the project is supported by the German Pandemic Preparedness Initiative of GIZ.