A bold step forward in regional health security is underway as major East African gateways undergo a rigorous, peer-driven review of their ability to handle public health threats. Four international airports in the region were evaluated for their adherence to the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities at points of entry. The exercise, led by the East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA HC), marks the first coordinated, four-site assessment of its kind, with experts from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia conducting the evaluations.
The assessment—supported by the World Bank-funded Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Program (HEPRRP) and implemented regionally by ECSA HC in collaboration with IGAD—focuses on whether these airports can detect, report, and respond to health emergencies effectively. The effort responds to rising concerns about outbreaks such as the Marburg virus in Ethiopia and aims to fortify aviation borders against the spread of disease.
Dr. Mohamed Mohamed, a Senior Medical Epidemiologist from ECSA HC, led the delegation during a two-week series of assessments at four major international hubs: Bole International Airport (Ethiopia), Julius Nyerere International Airport (Tanzania), Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Kenya), and Entebbe International Airport (Uganda). He emphasized that this is a unique peer-to-peer exercise showcasing regional collaboration and mutual learning.
As the host nation, Tanzania facilitated the reviews. Dr. Amour Seleman, Head of Port Health Services at Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, highlighted the reciprocal benefits of working together: peer review helps identify gaps that no single country would reveal on its own and allows nations to share best practices that strengthen everyone’s capacity.
Ultimately, the effort aims to elevate these gateways to globally certified health security zones. Gaining formal designation means thePorts of Entry (PoEs) are equipped and organized to manage health risks associated with international travel, particularly during infectious disease emergencies. The process will determine whether these airports can sustain readiness through a robust set of resources, procedures, and coordination mechanisms.
The IHR (2005) framework underpins the work. The regulations, binding on 196 countries, are designed to prevent the international spread of disease while minimizing disruption to travel and trade. The current revision emphasizes a holistic, all-hazards approach, requiring nations to maintain core capacities for surveillance, reporting, and rapid response.
Experts describe core capacities as the essential public health programs and competencies that nations must keep ready for emergencies. They function as the global benchmark for early detection, rapid assessment, and decisive action when health threats arise.
Dr. Benedict Mushi of ECSA-HC notes that the regional initiative draws lessons from the Covid-19 era, which exposed weaknesses in cross-border coordination and inconsistent airport health measures. The HEPRRP-supported peer-to-peer model is designed to close these gaps by preparing the region for future outbreaks and ensuring airports can respond coherently and efficiently.
During the assessments, the team examined three primary pillars: 1) communication and coordination during emergencies, including clear leadership and a defined command center; 2) ongoing core capacity, ensuring routine public health functions, continuous surveillance, and effective passenger screening even in non-emergency times; and 3) emergency stress-testing, evaluating how well each airport would perform under current and emerging threats, and whether standard operating procedures are readily available and followed at the point of entry.
Uganda’s Moses Ebong acknowledged room for improvement at each airport, a natural outcome of a comprehensive review designed to produce actionable enhancements. The overarching goal is to produce a concrete action plan that closes gaps and elevates readiness. Dr. Mohamed clarified that the next phase involves scoring performance, identifying gaps, and implementing an agreed-upon plan, after which independent verification by WHO will certify the airports as safe and compliant.
A successful certification would signal to the world that these hubs meet high, harmonized standards for health security, paving the way for safer international travel across the Horn of Africa and East Africa. The collaboration aims to harmonize procedures across the region, ensuring consistent, safe, and efficient management of infectious risks as passengers move through these gateways.
Controversy and debate are to be expected with any expansive regional reform of this nature. Some might question the feasibility of maintaining uniform standards across diverse national systems or wonder about the costs and monitoring required for sustained compliance. How strongly should regional bodies enforce rapid, cross-border information sharing versus national autonomy? What trade-offs exist between stringent health measures and the practical realities of busy international airports? Share your thoughts on whether this initiative will genuinely raise regional resilience or create new friction points for travelers and operators.
