The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Ministers of Health Held an Emergency Meeting on Preparedness and Response to the COVID-19 Virus in Bamako, Mali on 14 February 2020

EMERGENCY MEETING OF MINISTERS OF HEALTH OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS) ON PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS

Hôtel Sheraton, Bamako, Republic of Mali.

14 February, 2020

FINAL COMMUNIQUE

1. The emergency meeting of the Ministers of Health of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on regional preparedness and response to the ongoing Covid-19 (Coronavirus) epidemic in China was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Bamako, Republic of Mali,
   on 14 February 2020.

2. The meeting was declared open by the Prime Minister of Mali on behalf of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the opening ceremony was attended by top functionaries of the Government of Mali, members of the Diplomatic Corps and relevant partners

3. The ministers emphasized the urgency of the current situation regarding Covid19 which necessitated the convening of this meeting to agree strategies for protecting the population of the region

4. Following expert presentations on the global situation, the processes currently in place in the region and laboratory preparedness, the Ministers resolved to:

• Strengthen coordination, communication, and collaboration amongst Member States in preparedness for Covid-19 epidemic, including cross-border collaboration
• Enhance surveillance and management measures for Covid-19, particularly at entry points - air, land and sea
• Step up communication to ensure that the public receives accurate, appropriate and timely information regarding the epidemic
• Urgently strengthen critical national capacities for diagnosing and managing cases
• Develop a strategic costed regional preparedness plan based on Member States’ priorities for governments, partners, and the private sector to support
• Promote multi-sectoral national efforts using one-health approach to maximise impact
• Implement robust measures to assure availability of critical medical supplies, including laboratory materials, and personal protective equipment in the region
• Work closely with the relevant authorities of National Governments and the Chinese Government to monitor and assure the health situation of our citizens resident in China
   

5. The Ministers note, support and commend the efforts of the Government of the People’s Republic of China to manage this epidemic.

6. The Ministers expressed their deep gratitude to His Excellency, Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA, President of the Republic of Mali and to the Government and People of Mali for their warm welcome and hospitality, and all the facilities availed to them during the emergency meeting.

7. The Ministers endorsed the final communiqué and the report of the emergency meeting.

Bamako, 14th February, 2020

For the Ministers of Health of ECOWAS,

The Chairperson.

SIGNATURE