Multisectoral pandemic preparedness and response project in Zambia
The project aims to strengthen the national surveillance, laboratory systems, and workforce capacity for preparedness and response to public health events, especially those requiring a One Health approach. This will include drivers of public health events at the human-animal-environment interface as well as climate-related factors. An integrated approach with experts and professionals with different backgrounds and scientific disciplines will be critical.
Implementation arrangements and key components
FAO and WHO, as Implementing Entities, will co-chair the governance structure of the Project, with membership from key stakeholders in human health, animal health, and the environment. ZNPHI will provide secretariat and coordination functions. In addition to agency involvement mentioned earlier, civil society groups, displaced and marginalized communities, and other vulnerable and affected communities will participate in the sensitization and awareness of the vulnerabilities of these groups in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Expected outcomes
The Project’s key expected outcomes include:
- enhanced surveillance and response systems
- coordinated prevention, preparedness and response to public health events of concern
- multi-disciplinary workforce development for rapid disease detection and containment
- surge capacity created to respond to public health emergencies