Meningitis remains a significant public health challenge in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), where gaps in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, vaccination, and outbreak preparedness continue to affect prevention and control efforts. Conflict, displacement, and fragile health systems further complicate countries' efforts to reduce the burden of the disease.

To examine how countries can translate national meningitis plans into public health action, EMPHNET hosted the 59th session of its WEBi Series, titled “Operationalizing National Meningitis Plans: Addressing Key Implementation Challenges to Defeat Meningitis by 2030 in the EMR,” on October 20, 2026.

The webinar attracted 127 attendees and brought together experts from national, regional, and international institutions to discuss progress and challenges in meningitis prevention and control.

The session featured a technical presentation by Dr. Messeret E. Shibeshi, Immunization Officer at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO), followed by an expert panel discussion moderated by Prof. Muhamed-Kheir Taha, Head of the Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit at Institut Pasteur, France.

Regional Progress and Implementation Priorities

Dr. Shibeshi presented regional priorities for implementing the WHO Defeating Meningitis by 2030 Global Roadmap, drawing on findings from the June 2026 WHO regional peer-review workshop. She highlighted progress in country ownership and multisectoral collaboration, alongside persistent gaps in financing, surveillance, laboratory capacity, survivor care, and monitoring.

She reported that Egypt, Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates had finalized their national meningitis plans, while six other countries had advanced plans.

She emphasized integrating epidemiological, laboratory, immunization, and emergency surveillance systems to improve outbreak detection and decision-making. Looking ahead, she identified costing and implementing national plans, strengthening laboratory networks and coordination mechanisms, and expanding regional collaboration as key priorities for the next 24 months.

Strengthening Surveillance Through Regional Collaboration

During the panel discussion, Dr. Magid Al-Gunaid, Deputy Executive Director of EMPHNET and Chair of the Meningitis and Septicemia Mapping Network (MenMap) Steering Committee, shared MenMap's experience in Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq, highlighting its role in strengthening surveillance and laboratory capacity through technical collaboration, training, and quality assurance.

He emphasized the importance of country ownership, domestic resources, and integrating meningitis priorities into existing national health plans to ensure sustainability, particularly in resource-limited and conflict-affected settings. He also highlighted how MenMap's surveillance data can inform pneumococcal vaccination policies, alongside the need for better vaccination coverage data and continued technical support.

Country Experiences and Vaccination Priorities

Prof. Amjad Mahboob, Professor and Head of Infectious Diseases at Bacha Khan Medical College, Pakistan, highlighted challenges in meningitis surveillance and diagnosis, including fragmented reporting, limited laboratory confirmation, antimicrobial resistance, and disparities in diagnostic capacity between major cities and peripheral areas.

He emphasized integrating meningitis surveillance into existing Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) systems and expanding laboratory capacity to improve outbreak detection and response.

Prof. Ener Cagri Dinleyici, Professor of Pediatrics at Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Türkiye, emphasized the importance of local epidemiological data, particularly on circulating meningococcal serogroups and pneumococcal serotypes, in guiding vaccination policies.

Drawing on Türkiye's experience, he also highlighted challenges in maintaining surveillance and vaccination services in conflict-affected and border areas, where displacement and disruptions to healthcare affect disease prevention efforts.

Global Priorities and Progress Toward 2030

Katya Fernandez, Technical Officer for Bacterial Epidemic Diseases at the WHO Health Emergencies Programme, highlighted progress in national planning and regional collaboration across the EMR. With four years remaining until 2030, she emphasized prioritizing practical, high-impact interventions while addressing challenges in survivor care, long-term follow-up, and funding for meningococcal vaccination.

She also stressed the importance of WHO technical guidance, peer learning, and global partnerships in supporting national implementation.

The panel further discussed the need to integrate survivor care and rehabilitation into national meningitis plans, strengthen links between hospital and primary healthcare services, and improve long-term follow-up for people affected by meningitis.

Audience Discussion

The interactive discussion addressed key challenges related to financing and sustainability, antimicrobial resistance surveillance, laboratory capacity, vaccination policies, and monitoring progress toward the 2030 targets.

Participants also explored meningitis prevention in conflict-affected settings, including Sudan and Yemen. Dr. Shibeshi shared insights into Sudan's experience with meningococcal vaccination and risk assessments, as well as opportunities for strengthening laboratory capacity in Yemen.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of engaging private healthcare providers in national surveillance and reporting systems.

Key Takeaways

• National meningitis plans require sustainable financing, coordinated implementation, and monitoring systems to translate commitments into measurable progress.
• Integrated surveillance and stronger laboratory systems are essential for outbreak detection, evidence-informed vaccination policies, and effective public health responses.
• Regional initiatives such as MenMap demonstrate how technical collaboration, capacity building, and country ownership can strengthen surveillance and support sustainability.
• Survivor care and rehabilitation should be integrated into national plans through improved follow-up, referral systems, and access to services.
• Continued regional collaboration and technical support are important for advancing progress toward the Defeating Meningitis by 2030 goals.

Closing the webinar, Prof. Taha summarized the central message of the discussion in three words: “Invest, integrate, and act together.”

Watch the webinar here.

Explore more sessions from the EMPHNET WEBi Series here.