THE EBOLA PANDEMIC AND WEST AFRICAN INTEGRATION: AN IMPERATIVE FOR STRENGTHENING PUBLIC HEALTH CAPACITY

Sharkdam Wapmuk, Ramatu Jaji and Agatha Eileen Wapmuk

                                                               Department of Research and Studies                 

Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, Nigeria

Email: ndijida@yahoo.com

Abstract: The paper examines the implications of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa within the context of regional integration.The outbreak, which began in southern part of Guinea in December 2013, was unreported for about three months, leading to a spread especially in 2014 to the neighboring states of Sierra Leone and Liberia. The migratory pattern in West Africa and the challenges of porous borders provided a leeway for the spread of the disease to Senegal, Mali and Nigeria. The study reveals thatthe Ebola pandemic and the resultant mitigation measures of shutting down borders and travel bans have deep implications for the ECOWAS protocol of free movement of persons, goods, and services; and right of residence and establishment; socio-economic development; and also, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS). The spread of the disease brought to the fore the inadequate capacity of health systems and resources in West Africa to respond to such a health pandemic in a proactive manner. The paper, therefore recommends the development of a Regional Public Health Action Framework for Member States, which will serve as a guide for Member States to review their existing public health capacities and services and to define country-specific policies to strengthen them. This will also require strengthening the governance system in all facets that relate to health and development.