Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the University of Pretoria (UP),
gathered to discuss a regional health innovation EPR Hub that would help Africa prepare for future
health crises. The engagement was hosted on the Prinshof Campus of the University of Pretoria, by
the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Support Hub.

The EPR Hub is part of a broader WHO initiative to decentralise emergency response operations
across Africa, with existing EPR Hubs already functional in Nairobi, Kenya (focused on emergency
workforce development) and Dakar, Senegal (focused on epidemic intelligence and data). The
Pretoria EPR Hub aims to enhance pandemic preparedness and response capabilities, research and
development in public health and training of health professionals in emergency contexts, innovation
and laboratory systems.

The collaborators of this EPR Hub include the WHO Africa Regional Office, the University of Pretoria,
the National Department of Health (NDoH) and research entities like the Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Institute for
Communicable Diseases (NICD). These partnerships are designed to utilise existing infrastructure
and expertise in South Africa.

The proposed EPR Hub will be a multi-disciplinary facility, herewith some key objectives:

1. Research and Development:

a. Clinical trials on vaccines and innovative delivery methods.
b. Focus on zoonotic diseases and climate-health interactions.
c. Building a genomic and pathogen database for Africa.
d. Artificial Intelligence (AI) -driven modelling for outbreak prediction and
management.

2. Capacity Building:

a. Training programs for health professionals on epidemic readiness and primary care
alignment with emergency preparedness.
b. Establishment of AI labs and operational simulation facilities.

3. Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:

a. Annual assemblies for experts and policymakers.
b. Leveraging international partnerships

4. Resource Optimisation:

a. Strengthening and optimising existing infrastructure.
b. Discussions on funding mechanisms and resource allocation for sustainability.

The proposed primary location for the EPR Hub is the CSIR facilities, with additional contributions
from MRC and NICD. During the meeting, UP stakeholders suggested nearby government buildings
and UP campuses (such as Future Africa). The Future Africa Campus at UP was highlighted as a
potential site for conferences, training, and accommodation. There was an emphasis on the
proximity of the EPR Hub to UP’s medical campus and Steve Biko Academic Hospital to enable
practical integration of research, training, and emergency simulations. The EPR Hub is expected to
house 80 - 100 staff and include simulation labs, AI laboratories, and training facilities. The funding

of the EPR Hub’s operation will come from WHO’s operational budget, with additional support from
global partners.

The stakeholders acknowledged the challenges ahead. Partnerships, legal and financial agreements,
alignment of the ambitions of multiple institutions need to be finalised. The time was noted to be
short as the EPR Hub’s target operational date is set for June 2025 with preparatory activities
planned from January 2025 onwards, leaving less than a year to lay the groundwork.
By the end of the meeting, the group had outlined their next steps: consulting with the NDoH and
preparing legal and operational frameworks for the EPR Hub, including memoranda of
understanding. The meeting adjourned with an organised tour of the Prinshof campus for the WHO
stakeholders.