The East African Community (EAC) is intensifying efforts to equip frontline health workers in Partner States to detect, contain, and manage high-consequence infectious diseases. The East African Community (EAC) is stepping up efforts to ensure Partner States have frontline health workers equipped to detect, contain, and manage high-consequence infectious diseases. This critical initiative is being implemented through the Training in the East African Community for High-Consequence Infectious Diseases (tEACh) programme. The tEACh programme represents a vital collaboration between the EAC and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). Training sessions are currently underway at the Aga Khan University Centre for Innovative Medical Education in Nairobi, Kenya, with the support of the Government of Germany.
Intensive Training for Health Professionals
One hundred and twenty doctors, nurses, and other frontline health professionals from all eight East African Community (EAC) Partner States are participating in specialized training sessions in Nairobi, Kenya. The program aims to cultivate specialized expertise, enabling these health professionals to effectively manage high-consequence infectious diseases and subsequently train their colleagues within their respective countries. The current training event represents one in a series of tEACh workshops scheduled to run until November 2026. This week’s training is a key part of the ongoing series of tEACh training workshops that will continue consistently until November 2026.
The training combines practical skills development with simulations, addressing key aspects such as case identification and isolation, infection prevention and control, safe use of personal protective equipment, sample collection, patient management, and emergency response. Clinical experts from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin are leading the training. They are joined by East African clinicians who have completed the tEACh Training-of-Trainers programme, as well as representatives from national Emergency Operations Centres and the World Health Organization (WHO). This collaborative approach ensures a broad base of knowledge and practical experience is shared, fostering a strong regional response capability. The tEACh training activities are scheduled to continue consistently until November 2026, building a sustained capacity for disease preparedness across the region.
Expanding Mobile Lab Network
The East African Community (EAC) has established a Mobile Laboratory Network comprising 10 laboratories spread across seven Partner States. This network is designed to provide rapid diagnostic capabilities at strategic locations and critical points of entry. The Mobile Laboratory Network provides essential rapid diagnostic capacity at strategic locations and points of entry, allowing for swift detection and response to outbreaks. The deployed laboratories include units in Beni, Busia, Nimule-Elegu, Kobero, and Bwera, among other key locations, strategically positioned to cover vulnerable areas. Looking ahead, the EAC intends to significantly expand the Mobile Laboratory Network. Plans project an increase from the current 10 mobile laboratories to a total of 34 by the end of 2027, enhancing regional diagnostic capacity and readiness. This expansion shows the EAC's commitment to strengthening its diagnostic infrastructure across the Partner States.
German Funding and Future Support
The Government of Germany is supporting the ongoing training initiatives, which are expected to facilitate the education of 500 frontline health workers across the region. Germany has also committed an additional Euro 4.8 million to bolster the East African Community’s (EAC) Ebola preparedness and response efforts. This substantial funding will support community sensitisation for 15,000 people in eastern DRC, aiming to enhance public awareness and engagement regarding disease prevention and control. The German support will enable the procurement of 20,000 sets of personal protective equipment, key for safeguarding health professionals who are at the forefront of disease response. The initiative also includes provisions for the registration of new Bundibugyo Ebola vaccines in EAC Partner States once they receive approval from the World Health Organization (WHO), ensuring access to vital medical interventions.
Expert Perspectives on Preparedness
The training integrates practical skills with simulations, addressing case identification, isolation, infection prevention, and safe personal protective equipment use, alongside other critical elements of outbreak management. The Mobile Laboratory Network has already proven its effectiveness, having supported responses to Ebola, Marburg, COVID-19, and Mpox outbreaks in the region. The EAC estimates approximately USD 45 million is required for effective regional responses to Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks, noting the significant financial commitment needed to safeguard public health. The ongoing collaborative efforts, supported by international partners like Germany, are key for building a resilient health system capable of addressing future public health emergencies.