MENAFRINET II STRENGTHENING THE TIES FOR A SOUTH-SOUTH COLLABORATION DAY 3: VISITING THE DIRECTORATE OF POPULATION HEALTH PROTECTION (DPSP)

By Nonguierma Blanche and Serge Ismael Ouédraogo

Photos by Felix Tarbagdo

Day 3 Agenda: Learning about the newly implemented surveillance and the data management for quality data (Event based surveillance, SARI surveillance, Specimen referral System and STELab platform)

The Directorate of Population Health Protection (DPSP) welcomed the visiting team from Niger on their third workday in Burkina Faso. Along with a team from Davycas International, the visitors were introduced to Dr Issaka Yameogo, the head of the surveillance unit, acting for the director of DPSP.

The agenda of the day started with a visit of the « Data Manager’s Room ». The Niger team had the opportunity to learn more on the roles and importance of the facilities, what the room is used for, and the arrangement made for its regular maintenance. In addition, the STELab system and its Helpdesk facilities located at the CORUS stood at the heart of the conversations.

The interest of the participants then shifted to explore the Specimen Referral System implementation and operational mode, and the event-based surveillance by the community health workers. The presentations and discussion session engaged the team from Niger who showed genuine interest in shared issues and realities met on the field. The team affirmed how relevant and useful the information they gathered will be as they move back home for their advocacy plans, and their surveillance implementation strategy.

Later in the afternoon, a debriefing session was held at Davycas International to consolidate take-aways from their tour at the DPSP and better define the goals for the fourth day activities.  The fourth and last day will be devoted to a field visit in a health district and a health center for the participants to see how EBS and IRAS surveillance, and the specimen referral is implemented on the field.