Epidemiology and Disease Control

1. General Information

Head: Amadou Woury Jallow, Program Coordinator

Office Address: Central Medical Stores Complex, Bertil Herding Highway, Kotu, Kanifing Municipality, The Gambia

Email Address: awjallow@moh.gov.gm / amadou.jallow@gmail.com

2. Organizational Structure

The Epidemiology and Disease Control (EDC) Program was established in 1976 as the Epidemiology and Statistics Unit (ESU), responsible for disease control, national health data management, and statistical reporting. Due to health system expansion and increased demands, the Health Management Information System (HMIS) was later created under the Directorate of Planning and Information (DPI) to manage health data, guided by WHO recommendations and various consultancy reviews.

In 2004, the unit was renamed the EDC Unit, focusing on disease surveillance and response. It currently has 14 staff members working in key areas such as Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR), Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR), and One-Health Coordination.

A significant addition is the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), which strengthens the public health workforce by training frontline health workers in disease detection, outbreak investigation, and response at Frontline, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.

In 2019, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) was established under EDC. It serves as a central hub for coordinating public health emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, facilitating risk assessment, resource mapping, response plan development, training, and stakeholder collaboration.

3. Key Functions and Responsibilities

The EDC Unit coordinates disease surveillance, prevention, and response efforts. Its key functions include:

1. Disease Surveillance and Monitoring: Implementing and coordinating the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) system, conducting routine surveillance, and detecting/responding to public health threats and outbreaks. This also includes strengthening Event-Based Surveillance (EBS).
2. Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response: Operating the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC), developing emergency preparedness plans, conducting risk assessments, and coordinating multi-sectoral responses.
3. Field Epidemiology and Capacity Building: Overseeing the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP), training healthcare workers on epidemiological methods, and providing technical support.
4. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): Developing and implementing infection control policies, training health workers on best practices, and ensuring adherence to national guidelines.
5. Surveillance of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and Other Public Health Conditions: Monitoring and implementing interventions for NTDs, coordinating vector control, and supporting mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns.
6. Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs) Surveillance: Monitoring and investigating VPD cases, supporting the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), and coordinating outbreak responses.

4. Services Provided

The EDC Program provides crucial services for disease surveillance, prevention, and response:

1. Disease Surveillance and Reporting:

• Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR): Monitoring and reporting of priority diseases.
• Event-Based Surveillance (EBS): Detecting unusual public health events.
• Sentinel Surveillance: Targeted monitoring at specific health facilities, including syndromic surveillance for arboviruses and respiratory infections at Brikama and Bansang General Hospitals.

2. Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response:

• Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC): Coordinating outbreak and emergency responses.
• Rapid Response Team (RRT): Investigating and containing disease outbreaks.
• Emergency Risk Communication: Providing timely information through the Directorate of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE).
• Simulation Exercises & Drills: Testing emergency plans for diseases like Mpox, Ebola, and cholera.

3. Field Epidemiology Training and Capacity Building:

• Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP): Training health professionals in outbreak investigation and data analysis.
• Public Health Surveillance Training: Strengthening health workers’ skills.
• Workshops & Refresher Courses: Offering continuous learning opportunities.

4. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Services:

• Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) Surveillance: Monitoring infections in healthcare settings.
• Training on IPC Best Practices: Educating health workers on standard protocols.
• Implementation of IPC Guidelines: Ensuring compliance with national standards.

5. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Control and Prevention:

• Mass Drug Administration (MDA): Community-based treatment programs.
• Vector Control Activities: Mosquito and fly control.
• Health Education on NTD Prevention: Raising awareness.

6. Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance:

• Routine Immunization Monitoring: Supporting the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
• Vaccine-Preventable Disease (VPD) Outbreak Response: Investigating and responding to outbreaks.
• Cold Chain Management Support: Ensuring safe vaccine storage and transport.

7. Data Management, Research, and Policy Development:

• Epidemiological Data Collection & Analysis: Providing evidence for health policy.
• Health Information System (HIS) Support: Strengthening national disease reporting.
• Publication of Epidemiological Bulletins: Disseminating disease trends.

8. Community Health Engagement and Awareness:

• Health Promotion & Risk Communication: Educating the public on disease prevention.
• Community-Based Surveillance (CBS): Training volunteers for health threat detection.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partnering with NGOs, research institutions, and international health agencies.
• These services strengthen The Gambia’s public health system, prevent outbreaks, and ensure rapid, effective responses to health threats.

5.  Programs and Projects

The EDC Program implements several ongoing initiatives under The Gambia Essential Health Services Strengthening Project, supported by the World Bank.

1. Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) Program

Objective: To strengthen detection and response to communicable diseases and public health threats.

Target Population: General population, focusing on at-risk communities.

Key Activities: Monitoring and reporting priority diseases, training healthcare workers, and community engagement.

2. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Control Program

Objective: To eliminate and control neglected tropical diseases in The Gambia by 2030.

Target Population: Communities in endemic, particularly rural, areas.

Key Activities: Mass drug administration, health education, and vector control.

3. Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP)

Objective: To build the capacity of health professionals in epidemiology and public health surveillance. The Gambia FETP (GamFETP) is currently training its second cohort of FETP Intermediate in 2025.

Target Population: Healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and public health officers.

Key Activities: Training in outbreak investigation and response, enhancing data analysis skills, and providing mentorship.

6. Policies, Guidelines, and Reports

• Key Policies: Development of a National Disease Prevention and Control Policy and Strategy is in progress.
• Guidelines: Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Technical Guidelines – Third Edition.

7. Collaboration and Partnerships

• The Directorate collaborates with:
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
• The West Africa Health Organization (WAHO)
• Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
• The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)