Implementation of Emergency Preparedness and Response-Rapid Team Program in Niger

Abstract

<i>Introduction:</i> The WHO’s prompt declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) shepherded an effective coordinated response to contain the epidemic. <i>Objective:</i> The aim of this study is to describe the experiences, challenges, and lessons learned during the Implementation of Emergency Preparedness and Response-Rapid Response Team (EPR-RRT) program. <i>Method:</i> The study used mixed methods approach quantitative and qualitative data from a literature review of WHO AFRO coordination mechanisms and the Niger Public Health Emergency Operational Centre (PHEOC). The study was conducted in the National Public Health Emergency Operational Centre (PHEOC) of Niger during 12 months from September 2022 to September 2023. <i>Results:</i> The implementation of this program began with the evaluation of Niger's capacities and capacity building of teams to prepare, detect and respond to public health emergencies within 24 hours of an alert. The team of multi-disciplinary and multi-sector experts was identified and selected and trained on series of modules training. The team is composed of a total of 50 experts from 6 ONE HEALTH sectoral ministries. The average age is 49.94 (±5.9) years with extremes ranging from 33 to 56 years. The sex ratio is 0.35. The team have acquired the experience of being deployed in 4 regions of the country, 6 districts as part of the response to 6 public health events. <i>Conclusion:</i> The rapid response team has made it possible not only to acquire the technical and operational skills, financial, human and logistical capacities to respond rapidly when a public health emergency occurs.