8.2. Roles and responsibilities of the MOH National Surveillance and Response Team (NSRT)

The National Surveillance and Responses Team (NSRT) under the direction of CMO and technical coordination of the EpiU (meeting monthly), is responsible for the systematic monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the system and ongoing surveillance of health threats, risk factors and health determinants of CD & NCD/MH and programs. The NSRT receives summary information of the international situation from PAHO/WHO and CARPHA. NSRT should keep the Minister, and by him, the Cabinet updated on the health situation (see Annex with roles and responsibilities of the NASRT).

The primary roles and responsibilities of the NSRT are (a) Analysis of data; (b) Dissemination of information for stakeholders and various professional groups and audiences; (c) Initiate, manage and evaluate preparedness and response activities to public health threats; (d) Develop collaboration with professionals and/or agencies with specific expertise to a given health problem; (e ) Follow up the course of outbreaks/epidemics and decide when to revert to routine; (f) Surveillance and public health activities; (g) Update and train the health personnel with the National Surveillance Manual and Guidelines as necessary; (h) M&E the system functioning and ongoing surveillance.

Members of the NSRT are Chief Medical Officer (Chair), National Epidemiologist (Deputy chair), Deputy Epidemiologist, Surveillance Officer, Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ezra Long (Victoria Hospital) Laboratory Director, Infection Control Nurse, Victoria Hospital and St. Jude Hospital, Principal Nursing Officer, EPI Manager, Director of Bureau of Health Promotion, Director of National HIV/AIDS Programme, AMR NFP, Chief Veterinary Officer, NLAC Chair. Others will be co-opted when required.