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Zambia and Zimbabwe are strengthening joint preparedness and response measures against Ebola and other infectious diseases at the Victoria Falls border to reduce the risk of cross-border transmission.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kennedy Lishimpi, said points of entry were the first line of defence against the international spread of infectious diseases, and their effectiveness depended on coordinated preparedness systems.
Lishimpi was speaking in Livingstone on Friday at the opening of a joint cross-border Ebola preparedness and response capacity-building meeting between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
He said the meeting had been prompted by the Bundibugyo virus disease emergency, which had heightened the need for regional preparedness and demonstrated that infectious diseases did not respect national boundaries.
“Our countries are connected by strong social, cultural and economic ties. The movement of people, goods and services through the Victoria Falls Border Post sustains tourism, trade and livelihoods. It also means that a public health threat in one country can quickly become a concern for the other,” Lishimpi said.
He said the two countries needed coordinated systems to detect threats early, share information promptly and respond effectively while protecting public health and facilitating safe travel and trade.
Lishimpi outlined five priority areas for improving preparedness, including stronger cross-border coordination and information sharing through designated focal persons and clear notification procedures.
He called for harmonised border operating procedures covering screening, assessment, notification, referral and the safe transfer of ill travellers, supported by contingency plans linking border facilities with health institutions and emergency response teams.
“Infection prevention and control must be strengthened through recognition of risks, correct use of protective equipment, hand hygiene facilities, temporary separation arrangements and proper waste management,” Lishimpi said.
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He said laboratory and specimen referral systems also needed to be strengthened, with clear procedures for safe collection, packaging, transportation and testing, as well as timely communication of results.
Lishimpi said practical training and simulation exercises were necessary to test workforce capacity, identify operational gaps and build confidence among multi-sectoral response teams.
He also emphasised the One Health approach, which integrates human, animal and environmental health, alongside community engagement involving travellers, transport operators and tourism businesses.
Lishimpi welcomed support from the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) through its Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Programme, which provides seven complementary interventions.
He urged participants to develop a joint action plan identifying priority activities, responsible institutions, implementation timelines, resource requirements and mechanisms for monitoring progress.
“The success of this engagement will be measured by what happens after we leave Livingstone. I therefore call for a joint action plan that sets out agreed priorities, responsible institutions, realistic timelines, resource requirements and a mechanism for reviewing progress,” he said.
He said district authorities and border teams would be central to implementing the agreed measures.
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