Public health emergencies arising from multi hazards and threats continue to be a major concern, especially in the African Region with more than 100 public health emergencies reported and responded to annually.

To enhance swift, effective and coordinated prevention, preparation, response and recovery to these emergencies, the International Health Regulations recommend the establishment of a functional Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) to serve as the ‘nerve centre’ for preparation and response to public health emergencies.

Mauritius strives to have an established PHEOC with a well-established incident command and control system, with the necessary well trained core workforce, tested standard operating procedures, well equipped physical facility where results from surveillance and/or early detection of alerts can be managed in a timely manner and lead to swift and effective response of public health emergencies to subsequently reduce the health and socio- economic burden on the country.

To this aim, the MOHW and WHO joined forces during the last quarter of 2023 to develop an operational handbook with key standard operating procedures, triggers for activation, a communication tree and a system for incident management. Following the development of these systems and procedures, national key stakeholders were trained so that a critical mass of knowledgeable, skilled and experienced emergency managers and responders can be available on a permanent basis at the Ministry of Health and Wellness and in each region to address any emergencies. Upon completion of the training, the operational handbook and key standard operational procedures were tested through a tabletop exercise for validation.  

In addition, Mauritius has now identified the necessary physical infrastructure to house the very first Public Health Emergency Operation Center that will also have direct collaboration with the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC).

This intense work occurred over the last three months of the year 2023, culminating in the training and simulation exercise. The next step is for all documents to be cleared by higher authorities so that operationalization of the centre can be effective in 2024.