Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) recently marked a significant milestone as it celebrated its 7th anniversary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Africa CDC, established in January 2016, operates as a specialized technical institution under the African Union, tasked with addressing health-related challenges across the continent.
During the commemorative event, Africa CDC Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, took guests on a journey through the center’s evolution from its inception to gaining autonomy in 2022. Reflecting on this transformative period, Dr. Kaseya expressed pride in witnessing Africa CDC’s growth and success over the past seven years:
“The journey of Africa CDC is a captivating story that weaves together self-reliance, sovereignty, and the continent’s relentless pursuit of a New Public Health Order to shape its destiny on its own terms.”
Dr. Kaseya highlighted some of the remarkable accomplishments achieved by Africa CDC during this relatively short period:
“We have transformed from being a specialized health agency into an autonomous health institution of the Union… Some of our milestones include providing assistance during public health emergencies such as the Ebola outbreak, COVID-19 pandemic, and Mpox crisis.”
These critical interventions underscored Africa CDC’s pivotal role in steering continental responses to major health crises.
One key aspect that Dr. Kaseya emphasized was the establishment of robust systems for disease surveillance, outbreak response, and capacity-building through collaborative efforts involving AU Member States, regional bodies, and global partners.
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Advocating for a new Public Health Order for Africa is crucial as it underscores our commitment to reshaping how we approach public health on the continent.”
This vision encompasses fostering local leadership, innovation in healthcare solutions, investment in comprehensive public health infrastructure, and promoting self-reliance.
Looking towards future goals and initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility across Africa,
” Dr. Kaseya shared his ambitious vision: “
Vaccine self-reliance is within reach; our target is to produce 60% of vaccines domestically by 2040.
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This strategic objective aligns with broader continental priorities outlined in Agenda 2063.
As part of their strategic plan for 2023-2027,
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Africa CDC aims to adopt a unified approach encompassing ‘one budget,’ ‘one work plan,’ and ‘one report.’
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This cohesive strategy reflects their commitment to ensuring effective implementation while upholding core principles encapsulated by what they term as ‘5 Cs’: Community engagement, Connectivity among stakeholders,
Capacity building,
Collaboration with diverse partners,
and Climate resilience considerations.In recognition of exceptional contributions to Africa CDC’s establishment and advancement,
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Dr. Kaseya announced naming honors for two wings at their new headquarters after notable figures Madam Nkosozana Zuma
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, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission who championed setting up Africa CDC,
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and Ambassador John Nkengasong,
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the inaugural Director whose exemplary leadership steered the organization through challenging times amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The naming of these buildings serves as a lasting tribute to their unwavering dedication towards safeguarding every African citizen’s health,
“ affirmed Dr. Kaseya.
This celebration not only marked achievements but also symbolized resilience,
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Our journey embodies resilience; each milestone signifies our steadfast commitment towards realizing a healthier future for all Africans,”
presented by [www.africahealthtimes.com].
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Attribution:
Original content from www.africahealthtimes.com (Link: https://www.africahealthtimes.com/africa-cdc-at-7-dg-rolls-out-achievements.aht/)
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