Objectives/functions

To general objective of the IDS Programme is to contribute to the reduction of the burden of communicable diseases in the African region through the implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response and the International Health Regulations (IHR)

The strategic objectives of the Programme are:

• To provide policy and technical support to Member States to enhance their capacity to carry out surveillance and monitoring of all communicable diseases of public health importance
• To maintain a regional database on priority communicable diseases and generate basic information for monitoring and evaluation of regional health interventions.
• To facilitate information sharing on priority communicable diseases among Member States through the publication of a regular epidemiological information bulletin and reports.
• To provide support to Members States to achieve the minimum core capacities for surveillance and response including the capacities at the Points of Entry as required by the International Health Regulations (2005)
• To support the introduction and implementation of the revised International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).
• To improve the capacity for the prompt confirmation of etiological agents of priority communicable diseases including a Public Health Emergency of  International Concern through a strong functional public health laboratory network and monitoring antimicrobial resistance  in the Member States.
• To contribute to the strengthening of the capacity and self reliance of Member   States in integrated disease surveillance through implementation of an adequate training programme and promotion of applied research on communicable diseases