The Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jean Kaseya, tasked the Africa region on Monday to take charge of its public health and strengthen its health system.
Kaseya said this at a press briefing ahead of the opening of the third International Conference on Public Health in Africa, held in Lusaka, Zambia.
The conference, themed “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture,” holds from November 27–30, 2023.
Jean noted that the Africa region must improve its public health system to halt its vulnerability to disease outbreaks.
“We believe we have the ambition to position not only Africa, but Africans in the global health space,” Jean said.
The DG said African leaders have the power and capacity to bring everyone together as it is contributing to global health security.
“Today, we are celebrating a great moment where Africa is hosting the world to discuss ways we can break the barriers. We have to acknowledge what Africa is bringing to the world and what it is giving to the world,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Director of the Institute of Health Research and Co-chair of CPHIA 2023, Prof Margaret Gyapong, said Africa is witnessing an unprecedented leap in health technology innovations.
Prof. Gyapong explained that technology is bridging the gap in healthcare access and delivery in the Africa region.
She attributed the success of the groundbreaking innovations on robust collaborations between governments, private sector entities and Civil Society Organisations.
“Public Private Partnerships are fostering knowledge exchange, resource mobilisation and technology amplifying the impact of innovation in public health,” she said.
She also noted that African scientists and researchers are leading the charge in developing groundbreaking vaccines tailored to address regional disease burdens including malaria, and tuberculosis amongst others.
She said the groundbreaking initiative with the new malaria vaccine demonstrates the significant contribution of African scientists and researchers to addressing regional disease burden.
“The efforts reflect the commitment of African governments, international organisation and partners to improve public health outcomes and protect its citizens from vaccine-preventable diseases.”
In her remark, the Minister of Health, Zambia, Sylvia Masebo said the president of Zambia’s commitment to the health strategic agenda perfectly aligns with the Africa CDC’s mission to public health institutions to detect and respond effectively to disease threats in the region.
Masebo, who also doubles as the chairperson of the Africa CDC governing board, said there is optimism that the conference will have a positive impact on the region.
The Minister urges the media and other partners to support the great course of repositioning Africa in the global health architecture.
“I implore the media to spread the word about Africa’s commitment to global health as a key player,’ she said.
The PUNCH reports that CPHIA is an annual conference organised by the Africa CDC.
The conference provides a unique African-led platform for leaders across the continent to reflect on lessons learned in health and science and align on a way forward for creating more resilient health systems.