An assessment of the current epidemiological and laboratory capacities
for influenza-like illnesses and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection
surveillance, Yemen 2022.
Abstract
Background and objectives: To re-activate infuneza sentinel surveillance
system in Yemen after disruption related to repurposing for COVID-19
pandemic. WHO Country Office (CO) in collaboration with Yemen’s Ministry
of Public Health and Population (MOPH&P) jointly conducted an
assessment mission to assess the current situation of the influenza
sentinel surveillance system and assess its capacity to detect influenza
epidemics and monitor trends in circulating influenza and other
respiratory viruses of epidemic and pandemic potential. This study
presents the results of the assessment for three sentinel sites located
in Aden, Taiz and Hadramout/Mukalla. Methodology: A mixed methods
approach was used to guide the assessment process and to help achieve
the objectives. Data was collected as follows: desk review of the
sentinel sites records and data; interviews with stakeholders, including
key informants and partners; and direct observation through field visits
to the sentinel sites, MOPH&P and the Central Public Health Laboratory
(CPHL). Two assessment checklists were used: assessment of sentinel
sites for SARI surveillance, and checklist for assessment of
availability of SARI sentinel surveillance. Results and conclusion:
COVID19 has affected health systems and services, and this was
demonstrated in this assessment. The influenza sentinel surveillance
system in Yemen is not effectively functional, however there’s plenty of
room for improvement if investment in the system’s restructuring,
training, building technical and laboratory capacities, and conducting
continuous and regular supervision visits.