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Comments From SSA Survey Participants
The complete analysis of the survey is available.
"The pilot program needs to have a broad base in terms of diseases under investigation, since importance of various diseases varies from country to country."
" I suggest that you try to conduct a second, simultaneous pilot program in an area which is difficult to work in, such as Central Africa. I'm not convinced that approaches used in Southern Africa are exportable to their northern neighbors."
"Transparency in disease information is important for effective disease control programs. Many people tend to hide information so their areas "appear" to be free from certain diseases while actually the disease is present. These hidden disease foci will usually be a source of infection to other areas or countries, and the international efforts and resources will be wasted."
"There is currently no harmonized disease reporting system in the region...countries face constant threats of diseases from neighboring countries ...[and] decision making and policy changes in disease control have been hampered by lack of information."
"There is a need for a data bank for decisions from national and international agencies; there is a need for all stakeholders to participate in programs; [there is a need] for training..., e-mail services, exchange programs and consultancy services."
"It is important that rural and local communities be involved at 'grass root' levels."
"The top-bottom policy has to be broken. We should take into consideration the reality in the field."
"It is valuable experience for the locals to learn disease surveillance in their own areas. They can then continue on their own, once they know what it takes and involves, even long after."
The determination and involvement of those who benefit [from such a program] are the best indicators that the program is working."
"From our experience with programs [they] started off without full involvement of locals at preparatory stages. This program is moving in the right direction."
"Most developing countries are now eager to participate in a region programme that would enhance their performance, benefits and efficiency in the delivery of their mandate and obligations at national and international levels. However, they are discouraged by the limited resources. An effort to assist with the provision of the basic requirements in relation to this programme would be more than welcome."
"The local veterinary investigations centers have trained manpower, but lack reagents and some few have basic equipment. If they could be assisted, it would be very cheap to send specimens to them and get response quicker than sending specimens to international laboratories routinely."
"This is a very encouraging development. It is long overdue. I can only encourage you to start as soon as possible establishing the mechanisms by which this useful information should be gathered and start flowing."
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