A Theoretical Framework for Public Health Emergency Operations Centres: A Comparative Analysis of Functionality in Nigeria, Senegal, and Ethiopia

This article presents a revised theoretical framework for analysing the functionality of Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs) in African contexts. It addresses the critical problem of inconsistent PHEOC operational maturity, which undermines coordinated responses to health threats. Developed through a comparative analysis of Nigeria, Senegal, and Ethiopia (2021–2026), the methodology synthesises documentary analysis of national policies, after-action reports, and peer-reviewed evaluations via a modified ‘systems readiness’ lens. The analysis contends that functionality is determined not by infrastructure alone, but by three interdependent pillars: integrated governance structures, real-time data convergence capabilities, and sustainable workforce capacity. The study finds that Nigeria’s advanced technical infrastructure is hampered by federal-state governance complexities; Senegal’s centralised model aids coordination but faces data system limitations; and Ethiopia’s network shows strengths in community linkage but variable resourcing. The framework’s significance lies in offering a context-sensitive tool for policymakers to diagnose systemic gaps and prioritise investments beyond physical assets. It concludes that enhancing continental health security necessitates a deliberate shift from building centres to cultivating agile, legally grounded, and data-driven operational systems embedded within local health ecosystems.