The Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Network (RISLNET) was established by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to coordinate and integrate all public health laboratory, surveillance and emergency response assets, including public health data, to effectively support prevention, rapid detection and response to current and emerging public health threats within defined geographic regions of Africa. RISLNET facilitates close networking among National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs), Academic Institutions, Private and Public Laboratories, Centres of Excellence, Non-governmental and Civil Society Organisations, and Veterinary Networks for the development and implementation of regionally appropriate plans for antimicrobial resistance, pandemic preparedness, rapid response, etc. It promotes partnerships and collaboration on public health research, training, knowledge exchange and experience sharing at the regional level in Africa.
RISLNET is integrated into the operations of the Africa CDC Regional Collaborating Centres (RCCs), hence, there will be five RISLNET networks hosted at the Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and Western Africa RCCs.
Features of RISLNET
RISLNET is coordinated by Africa CDC through its five Regional Collaborating Centres.
Agreement to establish RISLNET is determined and signed by Member States within a specific region and each regional RISLNET will elect their own executive committee members who will be responsible for directing activities of the network.borating Centres.
In coordination with Africa CDC and the RCCs, RISLNET will facilitate public health asset mapping, workforce development, laboratory system strengthening, human and animal health surveillance, one health and public health partnerships within the region.
Every public health partner in RISLNET will commit to sharing data, specimens, isolates, other biological materials, and information to support integration efforts at the regional level.
Each regional RISLNET will facilitate use by Member States and partners of the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) for knowledge sharing on specific subject areas.
RISLNET Regions
- Northern Africa RISLNET
- Western Africa RISLNET
