Assessing core capacities for addressing public health emergencies of international concern at designated points of entry in cameroon during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background Points of Entry (POEs) are at the frontline for prevention, detection and response to international spread of diseases. The objective of this assessment was to ascertain the current level of existing International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities of designated airports, ports and ground crossings in Cameroon and identify critical gaps for capacity building for prevention, early warning and response to public health threats including COVID-19. Methods Data were collected from April to May 2020 in 5 designated POEs: Yaounde Nsimalen International Airport (YIA), Douala international Airport (DIA), Douala Autonomous Port (DAP), Garoua-Boulai ground crossing, Kye-Ossi ground crossing which were all selected for their high volume of passenger and goods traffic. The World Health Organization (WHO) assessment tool for core capacity requirements at designated airports, ports and ground crossings was used to collect data on three technical capacities: (i) communication and coordination, (ii) Capacities at all times and (iii) capacities to respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC). Results All the investigated POEs scored below 50% of capacities in place. YIA recorded the highest percentage for all groups of capacities, coordination and communication and for core capacity at all times with a percentage of 42%, 58% and 32% respectively. For core capacity to respond to PHEIC, all the POEs recorded below 50%. The DAP and all ground crossings lacked trained personnel for inspection of conveyances. Only DIA had a public health emergency plan. There is no isolation/quarantine and transport capacity at the POEs. Conclusion All POEs assessed did not meet IHR standards and need significant improvement to fulfill the IHR requirements. Unstructured communication channels between stakeholders make the implementation of IHR challenging. A coordination mechanism, with clear functions and structure, is necessary for well-coordinated response efforts to health emergencies at POEs. This assessment will serve as a baseline to inform planning and IHR implementation at designated POEs in Cameroon.

Effectiveness of Point of Entry Health Screening Measures among Travelers in the Detection and Containment of the International Spread of COVID-19: A Review of the Evidence

“…In India, at Jaipur International Airport, Neha, Joshi [64] reported poor cooperation among passengers, masking symptoms, apprehension and inadequate human resources as barriers to POE screening effectiveness. Similarly, other studies have reported inadequate personal protective equipment and supplies, insufficient screening infrastructure, inadequately trained staff and the existence of many informal entry points, lack of training among staff, missing information in health alert cards, lack of harmonized traveler screening measures, poor intersectoral coordination, lack of transport, absence of an public health emergency plan, and inadequate financial resources as potential challenges affecting POE health screening [65][66][67][68].…”

Assessment of Capacity and Performance of Points of Entry in Detection, Reporting and Responding to Public Health Events of International Concern, Uganda, July–September 2022

“…As seen in other African countries, few PoEs had the capacity to isolate ill travellers with suspected noti able illnesses 13,19 . This presents a risk of disease transmission between travellers at PoEs and eventual disease importation or exportation even in the presence of screening 13 .…”

Perceptions around COVID-19 among patients and community members in urban areas in Cameroon: A qualitative perspective

“…As of June 26, 2022, Cameroon counted 120,002 cases, leading to 1,932 deaths, and, as of March 16, 2023, the reported mortality rate for Cameroon was 7.17 per 100 000 population [7]. It has been reported that COVID-19 data in sub-Saharan African countries may be underestimated due to flaws in representativeness [8].…”

“…Early in 2020, WHO conducted a global fundraising, which led to the development of Strategic Preparedness and Response Plans (SPRP) that support and protect countries such as Cameroon with weak healthcare systems [8]. The SPRP aimed to minimize the impact of the pandemic around the world by interrupting transmission, controlling infection, and facilitating communication to limit disastrous economic and social effects [8].…”

“…Early in 2020, WHO conducted a global fundraising, which led to the development of Strategic Preparedness and Response Plans (SPRP) that support and protect countries such as Cameroon with weak healthcare systems [8]. The SPRP aimed to minimize the impact of the pandemic around the world by interrupting transmission, controlling infection, and facilitating communication to limit disastrous economic and social effects [8]. At the beginning of the pandemic in May 2020, an assessment to evaluate the country's core capacities to address public health emergencies concluded that the government did not meet International Health Regulations Standards as there was a lack of nationally well-coordinated response efforts to health emergencies [9].…”