Implementing public health emergency operations centres according to an international framework in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Senegal: Best practices and achievements, 2021

A public health emergency operations centre (PHEOC) is a hub for effective coordination of information and resources. Countries have established PHEOCs as part of the effort to strengthen their emergency management capabilities. However, there is limited documented evidence of best practices in PHEOC implementation in accordance with the world health organization PHEOC framework. A survey was conducted to document best practices and experiences in implementing PHEOCs in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Senegal. Institutional and individual-level data on PHEOC implementation were collected between 6 December 2020 and 25 March 2021 through structured survey administered to regular and surge staff. An accuracy rate above 70% was considered adequate for knowledge of PHEOC operations, while individual emergency management competency was classified as adequate if the score was at least 3.5. Ethiopia and Nigeria established PHEOCs with legislation, while Senegal issued a ministerial directive. Senegal's PHEOC had better facilities, whereas the PHEOC in Ethiopia and Nigeria had facilities with limited capacity to meet surge demands. Plans and procedures were in place to guide the PHEOC operations and an incident management system to coordinate responses. The PHEOCs had skilled staff but were inadequate for large-scale emergencies. Senegal and Nigeria had well-established information systems to support PHEOC operations. All activated their PHEOC before detecting a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case to coordinate readiness efforts. The staff was knowledgeable in PHEOC operations, with demonstrated capacity in emergency management. There were constraints in developing hazard-specific plans and funding. Overall, the three countries improved multisectoral coordination and emergency response capacity. Key lessons highlight the importance of strong legal mandates, standardized plans and procedures, trained routine and surge workforce, and functional information systems. These experiences provide valuable insights for other countries, although further efforts are needed to strengthen PHEOC systems.