SynthesisBMC public health2026
National public health institutes in Africa: a systematic review.
Synthesis in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundOptimal functioning of public health systems entails a single coordinating focal point incorporating public health activities of both private and public sectors of a society. The consolidation of public health functions at the national level through the establishment of national public health institutes (NPHI) aids in effectively tackling public health challenges by incorporating data and expertise to coordinate efforts across different sectors. Most African countries are often lacking the necessary public health frameworks for effective pandemic preparedness and outbreak response. With sub optimally established NPHIs in African countries with just barely a quarter of these presenting fully established NPHIs in an attempt to strengthen health systems, this review aims to provide specific details on established NPHIs in Africa, evaluating their overall roles, accomplishments and providing details on observed gaps.
methodsThe study was a systematic review conducted using the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. Peer-reviewed research articles on NPHIs in Africa published from January 2000 to April 2025 in English or French were retrieved from seven databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, WHO Afro Library, the National Institute for Health Research, and African Journals Online databases. This systematic review examined the establishment, accomplishments, and challenges of National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) in Africa.
resultsEleven studies (2000–2025) were analyzed using PRISMA and QATSDD criteria. NPHIs were found to enhance outbreak detection, consolidate fragmented health functions, strengthen workforce capacity, and foster inter-institutional cooperation. Key achievements included advancing surveillance, improving equity, and supporting evidence-based policy responses. However, as of December 2023, only 23 of 55 African Union member states had fully established NPHIs, with persistent governance, communication, and commodity access challenges.
conclusionFindings underscore NPHIs’ critical role in health security, while highlighting urgent gaps limiting Africa’s outbreak preparedness and system resilience.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.