Years of NPHI Work Help Burkina Faso Prepare for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has overloaded public health systems worldwide. Countries without a centralized coordination point for scientific expertise and public health systems tend to be less effective and efficient during a public health emergency.

INSP’s COVID-19 emergency response leadership monitors field work in South Central Burkina Faso. Photo: Bicaba Brice, INSP Center for Response Operations and Health Emergencies

Burkina Faso did not hesitate in its COVID-19 response, even though its National Public Health Institute (NPHI), or L’Institut national de santé publique (INSP), and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) were still in their infancy at the start of the pandemic. Established in 2018 with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), INSP and its EOC have played an essential role in tackling the outbreak. As the virus continued to spread worldwide, Burkina Faso activated its EOC, developed a COVID-19 management plan, and created a pandemic taskforce.

The country’s effective management of the COVID-19 response is due to several factors, including years of preparation, capacity building, and dedication to coordinating public health and emergency management through INSP. In addition, INSP’s comprehensive strategic plan aligned with Burkina Faso’s public health goals, resulting in a unified vision for the country.

Putting Preparation and Plans to the Test for the COVID-19 Pandemic

When the first two cases of COVID-19 in Burkina Faso were confirmed on March 9, 2020, INSP was ready to respond, building on the lessons learned from peers and technical assistance from CDC and other partners.

Collecting a COVID-19 specimen sample during the early stages of the outbreak in Burkina Faso. Photo: Emilie Thérèse Dama, CDC Burkina Faso

For example, INSP mobilized researchers and other professionals to develop and implement strategies guiding the COVID-19 response, and coordinated information sharing through situation reports and data visualization. Throughout these COVID-19 response activities, Dr. Hervé Hien led the documentation of all operational processes so that strategies could be adapted for future outbreaks. Applying newly gained emergency response experience, as well as a vision for future growth, INSP became an integral focal point supporting the prevention and control of COVID-19 and other diseases.

Capturing Lessons Learned for a Stronger NPHI

To better address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, INSP conducted a systematic operations review, documenting successes and areas for improvement during the 2020 response. This effort included creating a lessons learned policy brief, as COVID-19 was INSP’s first large emergency response. The results of this review will improve COVID-19 operations, as well as future emergency responses.

These activities have made INSP a leader and model of public health and emergency management system strengthening in West Africa. As such, Dr. Hervé Hien has participated in a series of COVID-19 management best practice webinars with peer NPHIs in French-speaking African countries. CDC will continue to help INSP strengthen its internal organizational capacity and implement its strategic plan to become a trusted resource for global health security in the country, the region, and beyond.