Following a 2017 Joint External Evaluation (JEE), to identify capacity strengthening needs, Chad is now implementing influenza sentinel surveillance and sharing findings with FluNet, with the support of the PIP Partnership Contribution.

In 2017, a Joint External Evaluation (JEE) in the context of the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) was conducted in Chad to identify capacity strengthening needs. The JEE found that Chad had limited capacities in the following indicators: (i) laboratory testing for the detection of priority diseases; (ii) specimen referral and transportation systems; and (iii) syndromic surveillance systems. The evaluation also revealed no capacity in laboratory quality management systems (LQMS).

Surveillance and laboratory testing are critical for the early detection of epidemic and pandemic prone diseases. Regardless of the disease, surveillance activities involve the same functions and the same actors within the healthcare system.

Following the JEE, Chad embarked on the implementation of influenza sentinel surveillance with the support of the PIP Partnership Contribution. Key activities included:

February 2018: Finalization of the National Protocol for Sentinel Surveillance for Influenza.

March 2018: Selection of 2 sentinel sites including the Mother-and-Child Hospital and the National Reference General Hospital.

September 2018: Design and adaptation of surveillance job aids.

October 2018: Training of personnel involved in surveillance at both sentinel sites.

November 2018: Participation of focal points at the regional coordination meeting in the Republic of Congo. 

January 2019: Receipt of consumables and laboratory equipment, training of national reference laboratory technicians in Ndjamena on the diagnosis and molecular characterization of influenza viruses and training of 2 laboratory technicians in the safe shipment of infectious materials.

February 2019: Official ceremony to launch the influenza sentinel surveillance system by national authorities.

March 2019: Receipt of computer hardware and equipment.

In March 2019, for the first time, Chad began reporting influenza virological data to WHO’s FluNet. This successful outcome was due to a combination of political commitment at the highest level, strong support from WHO and collaborative efforts from all involved. The capacity to detect influenza, to monitor its trends and country participation in global surveillance activities are critical functions for emergency response and are helping to strengthen Chad’s preparedness for a future influenza pandemic.

Photo caption: Healthcare professionals conducting laboratory testing after attending WHO training on surveillance and laboratory testing.

Photo credit: WHO