Rabat:Morocco and the USA have launched the STRIDES project aimed at boosting infectious disease surveillance and early detection. The initiative includes a $4 million contribution from the US, raising total American funding for joint health security efforts to over $14 million. This support is facilitated through agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Morocco's Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the US Department of State have signed a memorandum of understanding. This agreement sets a cooperative framework for various health security domains, including epidemiological and environmental surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, health emergency preparedness, and disease monitoring at points of entry.

The memorandum, signed by Morocco's Health Minister Youns Bjijou and US Ambassador to Morocco Duke Buchan III, outlines a one-year plan with joint steering and monitoring. The technical execution of the project is assigned to Morocco's Directorate of Epidemiology and Disease Control, with support from FHI 360.

The STRIDES project focuses on four main areas enhancing laboratory networks for human and animal health, improving epidemiological and environmental surveillance, upgrading health data quality and digital systems, and strengthening rapid response teams and emergency coordination mechanisms.

During the launch event, Minister Bjijou noted the project's alignment with Morocco's ongoing health system reforms and its efforts to achieve universal health coverage. He emphasized the significance of prevention and cross-sector coordination under the "One Health" approach. Ambassador Buchan III highlighted the transboundary nature of diseases and the importance of international cooperation, describing STRIDES as a pivotal step in the Morocco-US partnership.

The project aims to improve Morocco's readiness for health threats, enhance the precision and dissemination of epidemiological data, and bolster national health security capacities.