Regional Meeting on Mpox Response and Other Health Emergencies

📍 Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya | 🗓️ 13 May 2025

East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health – Kenya, World Health Organization (WHO), Africa CDC, and the World Bank, convened a high-level Regional Meeting on Mpox Response and Other Health Emergencies under the theme:
“Strengthening Coordination and Collaboration for Effective Containment.”

Objectives of the Meeting

This timely gathering addressed the urgent public health risks posed by the Mpox outbreak and other emerging threats such as Ebola, Marburg virus, and cholera in the ECSA region. Key objectives included:

Strengthening cross-border coordination and joint surveillance
Enhancing regional case management and vaccination strategies
Mobilizing technical and financial resources
Promoting a One Health and health systems resilience approach

Opening and Key Remarks

The meeting was officiated by the Government of Kenya, with Dr. Matendechero, representing the Principal Secretary for Health, Ms. Mary Muthoni, delivering the opening remarks. He emphasized the importance of structured mechanisms for cross-border collaboration, harmonized data systems, and joint emergency preparedness strategies.

ECSA-HC was represented by:

Dr. Ntuli Kapologwe, Director General
Dr. Martin Matu, Director of Programmes
Dr. Mohamed Mohamed, Senior Health Advisor

Dr. Kapologwe noted that the Mpox outbreak, along with past health emergencies like Marburg and cholera, continues to challenge national capacities and that regional solidarity, science-based interventions, and sustainable investments are critical for success.

Regional Impact and Strategic Responses

Mpox has been classified as both a Public Health Emergency of International and Continental Concern, with nearly 20,000 cases and over 1,000 deaths across 22 African countries.

The Kenyan experience—reporting 109 cases, largely concentrated along trade and transport corridors—highlighted the urgent need for coordinated response frameworks.

Key responses discussed included:

Finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DRC and neighboring countries
Standardization of diagnostic protocols, case definitions, and reporting systems
Exploring regional stockpiling and pooled procurement for Mpox vaccines
Leveraging joint risk communication and community engagement strategies