Building Sustainable Health Systems: From Ad Hoc Response to Public Health Emergency Operations Centre Readiness in South Africa
1
Global Health Security, Jhpiego, Pretoria, South Africa
2
Surveillance and Epidemiology, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
3
Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3162
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs) are internationally recognized as a key mechanism for coordinating preparedness and response to public health emergencies. In South Africa, PHEOCs are not yet fully institutionalized, and emergency coordination functions are often activated on an ad hoc basis during outbreaks. Strengthening PHEOC readiness is therefore essential to building resilient health systems capable of managing diverse hazards while maintaining essential health services. Under the Pandemic Fund, South Africa prioritized strengthening public health emergency management capacity in alignment with the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005).
METHODS:
Between March and December 2025, foundational PHEOC strengthening interventions were implemented at national and provincial levels through collaboration between the National Department of Health, Jhpiego, the World Health Organization, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and other partners. Activities included a national PHEOC Handbook validation workshop, PHEOC oriented operational training, and structured capability assessments using the Africa CDC PHEOC assessment tool. Implementation was guided by an all-hazards approach aligned with the WHO Incident Management System.
RESULTS:
Approximately 190 officials across three provinces participated in PHEOC oriented training, strengthening competencies related to coordination, incident management, information flow and decision-making. Validation of the National PHEOC Handbook produced standardized guidance to support future institutionalization. Assessment findings highlighted variable readiness, with gaps related to dedicated staffing, governance arrangements, routine use of surveillance data, and sustained functionality outside active response periods.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening foundational PHEOC readiness supports the transition from ad hoc emergency coordination to institutionalized emergency management, contributing to long term health system resilience in South Africa.
Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs) are internationally recognized as a key mechanism for coordinating preparedness and response to public health emergencies. In South Africa, PHEOCs are not yet fully institutionalized, and emergency coordination functions are often activated on an ad hoc basis during outbreaks. Strengthening PHEOC readiness is therefore essential to building resilient health systems capable of managing diverse hazards while maintaining essential health services. Under the Pandemic Fund, South Africa prioritized strengthening public health emergency management capacity in alignment with the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005).
METHODS:
Between March and December 2025, foundational PHEOC strengthening interventions were implemented at national and provincial levels through collaboration between the National Department of Health, Jhpiego, the World Health Organization, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and other partners. Activities included a national PHEOC Handbook validation workshop, PHEOC oriented operational training, and structured capability assessments using the Africa CDC PHEOC assessment tool. Implementation was guided by an all-hazards approach aligned with the WHO Incident Management System.
RESULTS:
Approximately 190 officials across three provinces participated in PHEOC oriented training, strengthening competencies related to coordination, incident management, information flow and decision-making. Validation of the National PHEOC Handbook produced standardized guidance to support future institutionalization. Assessment findings highlighted variable readiness, with gaps related to dedicated staffing, governance arrangements, routine use of surveillance data, and sustained functionality outside active response periods.
CONCLUSIONS:
Strengthening foundational PHEOC readiness supports the transition from ad hoc emergency coordination to institutionalized emergency management, contributing to long term health system resilience in South Africa.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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