Dakar – A major regional initiative is underway in the Senegalese capital this week, as more than 80 specialists from 19 African nations work to sharpen the accuracy and coordination of polio surveillance data. This collaborative effort is designed to improve disease detection and ensure that vaccination campaigns are driven by precise, real-time information to protect children across the continent.
The technical workshop, running from June 8 to 19, 2026, is centered on evaluating data quality and synchronizing various workstreams within the Polio Eradication Programme (PEP). By bringing together representatives from national Ministries of Health, reference laboratories, and international health offices, the meeting seeks to fortify the digital and analytical frameworks that underpin the regional response to the virus.
Strengthening surveillance and digital infrastructure
Throughout the sessions, participants are conducting deep dives into several critical areas of polio monitoring. This includes the surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), environmental and laboratory tracking, and the effectiveness of supplementary immunization activities. A primary goal is to identify and resolve persistent bottlenecks that hinder the timely transmission of reliable health reports.
The program includes hands-on training with new digital tools developed to promote a data-centric approach at every level of public health administration. These platforms are essential for the rapid collection and analysis of information, allowing health officials to make evidence-based decisions during active outbreaks.
Vigilance in the face of evolving threats
The event was formally opened by Dr. Yao N’da Konan Michel, the World Health Organization representative in Sénégal. During his remarks, he expressed gratitude to the Senegalese government for hosting the summit and commended the country’s ongoing leadership in managing infectious diseases.
Dr. Yao reminded the assembly that while the African region achieved a historic milestone in 2020 by being certified free of indigenous wild poliovirus, the continued presence of variant strains means that the battle is far from over. He emphasized that maintaining high-quality surveillance and closing immunity gaps through robust data governance remains the only way to ensure lasting success.
Building a sustainable public health legacy
Kebba Touray, lead for Data and Information Management within the eradication program, highlighted that the workshop is about more than just immediate technical fixes. He noted that the systems being refined today—supported by years of dedicated funding and technical partnership—are designed to leave a lasting legacy for public health surveillance across Africa.
Touray urged the attending experts to use this period to bridge gaps in data quality across all program sectors. He cautioned that failing to improve these systems would make it increasingly difficult to track the sensitivity of surveillance or the impact of vaccination efforts, potentially stalling the progress made toward a polio-free Africa.
