At a glance
- At the start of COVID-19, CDC helped establish more than 18 county Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs), covering half of the nation's population. As of 2024, there are now 25 established PHEOCs.
- The initiative has strengthened Kenya’s ability to tackle public health emergencies and allowed county-level experts to efficiently address over 100 public health events, including malaria, dengue, and rabies.
- CDC’s efforts are helping Kenya become stronger and more prepared to address future health threats that can also spread across borders.
The Challenge
When COVID-19 struck, CDC Kenya and the Ministry of Health joined forces to stop outbreaks faster by standing up Public Health Emergency Operations Centers (PHEOCs). A cornerstone of preparedness and response, PHEOCs are places where highly trained experts monitor information, prepare for known (and unknown) public health events, and gather in the event of an emergency to exchange information and make decisions quickly.
CDC's Efforts
Today, thanks to CDC’s support and this collaboration, 25 new PHEOCs have been established, covering half of Kenya’s population. Standing up PHEOCs has changed the game for responders.
Impact
Instead of working independently in isolation, county-level public health experts now have a home base tied to a strong national network, allowing them to effectively manage any threat. To date, they have responded to over 100 public health events, extending beyond COVID-19 to combat other diseases such as malaria, dengue, and rabies.
Broader implications
This collaborative approach is reshaping Kenya's response landscape, showcasing the power of unity in overcoming health threats. Through initiatives like these, CDC’s Division of Global Health Protection (DGHP) experts are helping to fortify Kenya's resilience against future challenges, as part of One CDC, one step at a time.