KOICA and CDC support needs assessment for establishing sub-national PHEOCs

The increasing frequency and complexity of public health threats demand enhanced coordination mechanisms at the subnational level. In 2021, the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC), in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), supported the establishment of 3 functional public health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOC) in Northern, Ashanti and Western Regions of Ghana 2021. Subsequently, with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and technical support from US CDC, AFENET supported the establishment of the Volta region PHEOC in 2022.

As part of continuous efforts to improve response and coordination to public health events at the sub-national level of the health system in Ghana, the Korea International Coorporation Agency (KOICA) in collaboration with the US CDC, through AFENET is supporting the establishment of four (4) additional public health emergency operation centres in Upper West, North East, Savannah and Greater Accra regions of Ghana. 

To inform implementation, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted in these regions together with the Ghana Health Service using a standardised WHO/AFRO-aligned tool covering eight thematic domains: Coordination, Planning and Preparedness, Implementation Capacity, Physical Infrastructure, ICT Infrastructure, Information Systems and Surveillance, Human Resources, and Costing, Funding, and Sustainability. The assessment included stakeholder consultations, facility inspections, and reviews of relevant documents.

Findings from the assessment will guide the establishment of the new PHEOCs. Once operational, the PHEOCs will significantly enhance regional response capacity and strengthen Ghana’s overall health security system.