ECOWAS to establish technical advisory council for regional disease control

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has initiated the process of forming a Technical Advisory Council (TAC) to strengthen the governance of its Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control (RCSDC).

The council will ensure that the Centre’s activities align with scientific best practices and global public health standards, enhancing disease surveillance and emergency response across the region.

A two-day workshop began on Tuesday in Abuja, Nigeria, to review the mandate of the RCSDC, assess the epidemiological situation in the region, finalize the terms of reference for the TAC, and develop an effective action plan.

The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the West African Regional Coordination Centre of Africa CDC.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Director of ECOWAS RCSDC, Dr. Mamadou Diarrassouba, highlighted the urgency of the meeting, emphasizing that the West African region continues to face significant health challenges exacerbated by climate change, political instability, and humanitarian crises.

He noted that outbreaks such as Ebola and COVID-19 have demonstrated how health emergencies can disrupt economies and livelihoods beyond the health sector.

According to the 2024 annual report of the RCSDC, the region recorded 67 new outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, reflecting a 31.37% increase from 2023.

Dr. Diarrassouba stressed that the 47th ECOWAS Heads of State and Government Summit led to the creation of the RCSDC in Abuja to enhance the capacity of member states in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, risk communication, and epidemic response.

He described the establishment of the TAC as a strategic move to reinforce the Centre’s governance in line with ECOWAS regulations, ensuring that health security efforts in the region are guided by scientific excellence and informed decision-making.

Nigeria’s Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, represented by the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that the TAC would go beyond being a statutory body, serving as a dynamic platform for scientific exchange and technical expertise.

He explained that the council would bring together distinguished regional and international public health experts, who would play a key role in ensuring that the RCSDC operates with the highest standards of scientific excellence and efficiency.

I need you to Their contributions, he added, would be instrumental in developing effective regional health strategies, responding to emerging threats, and fostering collaboration across the region.

Also speaking at the event, the Director of the West African Regional Coordination Centre of Africa CDC, Dr. Kokou Alinon, emphasized that the TAC would be essential in supporting the RCSDC’s mandate by providing strategic guidance, technical expertise, and necessary support.

Expressing confidence in the initiative, he stated that collaboration between the advisory council and regional health institutions would significantly enhance public health preparedness in West Africa.

Other dignitaries at the event included the representative of the ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Oumar Alieu Touré, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, and the representative of the WHO Regional Office for Africa, Dr. Walter Mulombo.

Their remarks underscored the importance of the TAC in shaping a more resilient health system for the region.

With the establishment of the Technical Advisory Council, ECOWAS is reinforcing its commitment to strengthening disease prevention, early detection, and effective response to health threats, ensuring a more coordinated and science-driven approach to public health in West Africa.