SPHERE-Africa

The challenge

Over recent decades, sub-Saharan Africa has experienced many infectious disease outbreaks. Multiple pathogens have the potential to cause new outbreaks that could grow into national, regional, or even global public health emergencies.

Key to outbreak control is early detection, so that control measures can be put in place before an infection has a chance to take root in human populations. This depends on strong surveillance systems to detect emerging pathogens and clusters of cases that have the potential to grow into a full outbreak. However, surveillance systems are patchy in many sub-Saharan African countries, which also typically have limited numbers of epidemiologists – particularly those with skills in modelling to maximise the use of surveillance and other data. 

The project

The SPHERE-AFRICA project is establishing a new Master’s and short-course training programme to build capacity in epidemiology, data use, and modelling to enhance outbreak detection, prevention, and response.

Master’s training will be provided for at least 15 fellows, with priority given to researchers from ministries of health or affiliated institutions. Trainees will register for a Master’s course in Mali (epidemiology) or South Africa (biostatistics), undertaking a mix of coursework, a placement, and a research project. Fellows will also take part in training offered at other consortium sites. This combination will ensure a strong focus on ‘learning by doing’. 

During year one, trainees will complete foundational modules in South Africa or Mali and rotate through various field placements to gain practical experience in different settings. During year two, they will take part in virtual learning activities and complete a longer-term placement. Placements will be organised in partnership with national public health institutes in participating countries, with each trainee having an appointed supervisor to oversee their work. 

The programme also incorporates a strong commitment to mentoring. Each trainee will have a primary mentor, who will help to create a personalised development programme, as well as additional secondary mentors, one from Europe and one from sub-Saharan Africa. Trainees will also complete modules on general research skills and research writing. 

In addition, the programme will support the assimilation of trainees into academic and public health networks. Within the programme, trainees will work collaboratively on projects and make use of a shared data platform. Annual dissemination events will be held with regional stakeholders, including representatives from ministries of health and national public health institutes. Efforts will also be made to promote trainees’ contact and collaboration with other networks and organisations. Trainees will also be integrated into the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) rapid responder network.

Training for up to 50 early- to mid-career researchers will be provided in a range of key areas, including the development of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, outbreak response mechanisms, genomic surveillance of pathogens, mathematical modelling, and bioinformatics/data science, including the use of AI/machine learning technologies. Training will be offered at sites in multiple countries, including Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal and South Africa, as well as at Africa CDC and in the UK.

Impact

The SPHERE-AFRICA project will strengthen epidemiological and data-use capacity in sub-Saharan Africa. It will:

• Train a cohort of promising researchers in key skills required to make use of surveillance and other data
• Provide opportunities for the practical application of data science skills to address public health challenges
• Strengthen connections between trainees, public health organisations and key professional networks.

Through these activities, the SPHERE-AFRICA project will expand and strengthen workforce expertise, ensuring that surveillance and other data are used to identify areas at high risk of outbreaks, to rapidly detect emerging outbreaks, and to ensure that responses are based on the best available evidence.