Epidemic & Pandemic alert and Response (EPR)

Strategic Health Operations Centre (SHOC)

The primary mission of the AFRO Strategic Health Operations Centre (SHOC) Sub-Unit is to facilitate and coordinate regional and national technical response and operational mechanisms, logistics and technical support to control significant public health events.

Key Functions

• Support enhanced collaboration and discussion between WHO, Member States and Partners through improved information management and sharing which will occur with the integration of information and communications technology in the SHOC Room.
• Facilitate immediate and effective action by AFRO, Country Offices and Member States to global health crises, through the provision of both virtual and physical support, through the introduction of new technologies, including information gathering and communication technologies.
• Provide Health Programme Managers in AFRO with technological tools for monitoring health outcomes in Member States and for developing innovative approaches for improving outcomes.
• Provide Health Programme Managers in AFRO, Member States and Partners with up-to-date information on global health indicators using the visual and graphic capabilities of the SHOC Room thus enabling managers and expert consultants to participate in critical decision making processes through real time communications, regardless of their physical location.
• Provide communication tools (video- and tele-conferencing) to support WHO coordination and consultations with external networks and experts and provide a workspace for the event management group.
• Maintain databases, e.g. RRT member contact details.