The Zambian Government, through the Ministry of Health, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cross-border collaboration with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to improve preparedness and response to Ebola and other public health emergencies. The commitment comes as health authorities from the two neighbouring countries work together to strengthen systems that can detect and respond to disease outbreaks before they spread across borders. The cooperation recognises that infectious diseases do not stop at national boundaries and require coordinated action between countries. Zambia and the DRC share important movement routes used by communities, traders, travellers and transport operators, making strong health surveillance at border points essential. The latest engagement therefore represents an important step towards protecting communities and strengthening regional health security.
The commitment was made during a ten-day Strengthening Cross-Border Ebola Preparedness and Response engagement implemented by the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC). The initiative is being carried out under the World Bank-funded Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Program (HEPRRP). The programme is designed to strengthen the ability of health systems to prepare for, identify and respond effectively to public health emergencies. Bringing health authorities and other stakeholders together through a dedicated engagement allows participants to examine existing systems and identify areas requiring improvement. It also provides an opportunity for countries to coordinate their approaches so that a potential health emergency can be managed efficiently on both sides of the border.
The engagement is focused on four high-risk points of entry between Zambia and the DRC, namely Kasumbalesa-Zambia, Kasumbalesa-DRC, Sakania-Zambia and Sakania-DRC. These border points are important areas for strengthening disease surveillance because of the movement of people and goods between the two countries. Effective preparedness at points of entry can help health authorities identify individuals who may require further assessment and ensure that appropriate procedures are followed when a suspected infectious disease case is detected. Coordinated systems between corresponding border points can also improve communication and reduce delays when information needs to be shared across national boundaries. Strengthening these locations is therefore an important component of Zambia and the DRC’s broader efforts to improve preparedness for Ebola and other health emergencies.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr Kennedy Lishimpi, Permanent Secretary for Copperbelt Province Lawrence Mwanza stressed that no single country or institution can manage a public health emergency alone. His remarks highlighted the importance of cooperation between governments, health institutions, communities and development partners when responding to threats that can affect multiple countries. Public health emergencies can place significant pressure on health systems, particularly when countries have to respond rapidly to emerging or unfamiliar threats. Cooperation allows institutions to share information, expertise and resources while reducing duplication of efforts. Cross-border coordination is therefore essential for building a response system that can operate effectively during periods of heightened public health risk.
A major focus of the engagement is strengthening disease surveillance and screening systems at the identified points of entry. Surveillance allows health authorities to monitor potential health threats and identify unusual patterns that may require investigation. Screening at border crossings can provide an additional layer of protection by helping health workers identify travellers who may require further assessment. These measures become more effective when health officials on both sides of the border use coordinated procedures and communicate quickly when concerns arise. Strengthening surveillance and screening can therefore help reduce the risk of delayed detection and improve the ability of authorities to respond to suspected cases.
Laboratory capacity is another important part of the cross-border preparedness effort. Rapid and reliable laboratory testing can help health authorities determine whether a suspected case is linked to a particular disease and guide decisions about treatment, isolation and further public health measures. During an outbreak, delays in obtaining accurate test results can complicate the response and increase uncertainty for health officials and affected communities. Strengthening laboratory systems therefore supports faster decision-making and improves the overall effectiveness of outbreak response. Cooperation between Zambia and the DRC can also help health authorities share technical knowledge and strengthen systems for handling suspected cases and laboratory information.
The engagement also places emphasis on infection prevention and control, which remains essential when dealing with highly infectious diseases such as Ebola. Health workers require appropriate knowledge, procedures and protective measures to reduce the risk of infection when caring for suspected or confirmed cases. Strong infection prevention practices also protect healthcare facilities from becoming sources of further transmission during an outbreak. By reviewing infection prevention and control measures as part of cross-border preparedness, health authorities can identify weaknesses and strengthen practices before an emergency occurs. Preparedness in this area is important because protecting healthcare workers helps maintain the capacity of the health system to respond when communities need it most.
Risk communication and emergency coordination are also central to the engagement. Clear communication can help communities understand potential health risks, recognise warning signs and know where to seek assistance when necessary. It can also reduce confusion and misinformation during an emergency by ensuring that communities receive accurate information from trusted health authorities. Emergency coordination allows different institutions to understand their responsibilities and work together when a response is activated. Combining effective communication with strong coordination can improve public confidence and help ensure that health measures are implemented consistently across affected areas.
The ten-day engagement brings together health authorities from Zambia and the DRC alongside national, provincial and district health teams, cooperating partners and other stakeholders. Their participation allows different levels of the health system to share experiences and examine the practical challenges associated with cross-border emergency response. Stakeholders can assess existing risks, review preparedness arrangements and identify opportunities to improve coordination between institutions. This collaborative approach also allows lessons from previous public health emergencies to inform current preparedness activities. Bringing multiple stakeholders together is important because an effective emergency response depends on cooperation across several areas rather than the work of one institution alone.
The focus on Ebola preparedness is particularly significant because early detection and rapid response are critical when dealing with serious infectious disease threats. While preparedness activities are centred on Ebola, the systems being strengthened can also support responses to other public health emergencies. Surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection prevention, risk communication and emergency coordination are useful components of health emergency preparedness more broadly. Investments in these systems can therefore provide benefits beyond a single disease or outbreak. Strengthening preparedness before an emergency occurs gives health authorities a better opportunity to act quickly when a new threat emerges.
The Zambia-DRC engagement also highlights the importance of regional cooperation in protecting communities that live and work around international borders. People living in border communities often have close social and economic connections that involve regular movement between countries. Health authorities therefore need mechanisms that allow information and response activities to continue across borders when a public health threat emerges. Stronger cooperation can help ensure that actions taken on one side of the border complement measures implemented on the other side. This approach can strengthen regional health security while supporting the normal movement of people and goods where appropriate.
The latest initiative reflects a broader understanding that preparedness must begin before an emergency occurs. Developing surveillance systems, strengthening laboratories, improving infection prevention practices and establishing effective communication channels all require planning and coordination. Waiting until an outbreak is already underway can make it more difficult to establish systems and mobilise the necessary resources. By conducting preparedness engagements at high-risk points of entry, Zambia and the DRC can identify weaknesses while there is time to address them. The emphasis on strengthening preparedness today is therefore directly linked to the ability to protect communities tomorrow.
The ten-day Strengthening Cross-Border Ebola Preparedness and Response engagement ultimately demonstrates Zambia’s commitment to working with the DRC and regional partners to improve public health security. The focus on Kasumbalesa and Sakania border points provides an important opportunity to strengthen surveillance, screening, laboratory capacity, infection prevention, risk communication and emergency coordination. The participation of health authorities, government teams, cooperating partners and other stakeholders reinforces the principle that public health emergencies require collective action. Continued collaboration can help ensure that systems on both sides of the border are better prepared to detect and respond to Ebola and other emerging health threats. By investing in preparedness, coordination and cross-border cooperation today, Zambia and the DRC are taking practical steps towards protecting communities and strengthening their ability to respond to public health emergencies in the future.