04/06/2026
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public health emergency preparedness and response systems, Ag. County Director of Health Dr. Titus Mutura met with representatives from the Ministry of Health's National Public Health Institute (NPHI), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) during a joint two-day assessment of Meru county's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC).
This assessment focused on evaluating the centre's current operational status, identifying gaps, and developing strategies of technical and logistical support to ensure it remains fully functional and capable of coordinating effective responses to public health emergencies.
They reviewed key components necessary for its effectiveness, including infrastructure, staffing, data management systems, information sharing mechanisms, communication tools, and essential operational equipment. Its key focus was ensuring that personnel have the skills, knowledge, and capacity required to effectively utilize available systems and coordinate emergency responses.
The team will develop priority actions to address identified gaps, including targeted capacity building programmes for PHEOC personnel and Rapid Response Teams at both county and sub-county levels to improve collaboration and emergency response coordination. Plans are also underway to integrate Meru county's PHEOC into the national network of Emergency Operations Centres, enabling timely information exchange, stronger inter-county collaboration, and enhanced emergency preparedness across the country.
Dr. Mutura welcomed the continued support from the Ministry of Health, CDC, and AFENET, noting that strengthening the PHEOC is a critical investment in protecting lives, improving emergency response, and building a resilient health system for Meru residents.