Lusaka, Zambia — In a significant development aimed at bolstering health emergency preparedness, Zambia has introduced a national roadmap for the Strengthening and Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE) initiative. This strategic framework was crafted during a workshop that assembled 58 experts from across various sectors, including the Ministry of Health and emergency response agencies.
Dr. Patrick Otim, Programme Area Manager for Emergency Response at the WHO regional office for Africa, praised Zambia’s efforts, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to resilient public health capacities capable of rapid emergency response.
The roadmap, in harmony with the Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies 2022–2030 and the National Action Plan for Health Security, outlines priority actions to bridge workforce gaps, enhance coordination, and streamline rapid response systems. The initiative focuses on operationalizing systems that can be scaled and quickly activated.
Dr. Clement Peter Lasuba, the WHO Representative in Zambia, highlighted the importance of Zambia’s surge capacity in effective emergency response, underlining the government’s dedication to life-saving systems and coordination.
The SURGE initiative is designed to mobilize multidisciplinary response teams within a 24 to 48-hour window. In Zambia, this involves establishing a trained responder roster, reinforcing Public Health Operating Centres (PHEOCS), securing the supply chain for essential commodities, and improving deployment processes for quicker, more efficient action.
Dr. Kakungu, Director of Public Health, commended Zambia’s leadership and cross-sectoral collaboration, which he deemed instrumental in advancing health security. The WHO will support the implementation phase through training, system testing, and verification, contributing to regional efforts in health security and emergency preparedness.
Source: Africa Health
