Assessment of the Level of Preparedness for Emergency Situations of Health Emergency Management Organizations in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

<i>Context: </i>The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted critical weaknesses in global health systems, underscoring the need to strengthen emergency preparedness capacities. Abidjan, the rapidly growing capital of Côte d'Ivoire, faces unprecedented threats to health and livelihoods due to deadly annual floods and the resulting waterborne diseases such as cholera, dengue fever, and leptospirosis. It must be noted that, to date, the health districts of Abidjan, although basic units of the health system, do not have a regional PHEOC, which raises concerns about their level of preparedness. The National PHEOC, under the supervision of the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH), coordinates preparedness and response to health emergencies. It develops contingency plans and improves its capabilities through simulation exercises. The health districts (HDs) of Abidjan, grouped into two health regions: Abidjan 1 Grands Ponts and Abidjan 2 Lagunes, are not members of the national PHEOC. This observation raises concerns about the capacity of this operational unit to respond quickly to health emergencies in its area of intervention. Consequently, questions arise: how is the coordination and planning of interventions in the event of public health emergencies structured within this specific regional hub that is Abidjan? How prepared are Abidjan's health districts to respond to health risks in the city? <i>Objective: </i>To assess organizational capacities for health emergency preparedness in the two health regions of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) in 2024. <i>Methods: </i>A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from May 1 to June 8, 2024, among 31 key stakeholders in the ten health districts of Abidjan. A structured questionnaire, based on the 2021 WHO preparedness framework, was administered. Data were entered into SPSS and analyzed. <i>Results: </i>The median age of participants was 47 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.4. Sixty-eight percent were general practitioners or pharmacists, and 61% had a specialization in public health. Seventy-seven percent of districts had a Rapid Response Team (RRT), and 13% had conducted simulation exercises. However, 68% reported a lack of funds dedicated to emergencies, and 35% reported a lack of effective alert and awareness mechanisms. <i>Conclusion: </i>This study highlights the crucial importance of preparedness and management of health emergencies in Côte d'Ivoire, particularly in the city of Abidjan. In the health regions of Abidjan, organizational capacities for health emergency preparedness remain insufficient despite increasing vulnerability to epidemics. Consolidate surveillance and alert systems to improve the resilience of the health system.