Africa-Press – Angola. The African Union (AU) President, João Lourenço, praised on Friday, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the “remarkable” efforts of the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to advance the continent’s public health agenda.
The Angolan Head of State made the statement after signing the Africa CDC guest book during a visit to the institution, in fulfillment of his work agenda in Addis Ababa.
President João Lourenço, who was received by the Africa CDC Director-General, Jean Kaseya, stated that the continent’s public health agenda is closely linked to economic growth and job creation, ensuring the safety and well-being of all Africans.
João Lourenço considered the Africa CDC “a beacon of excellence in public health and disease control that makes the entire continent proud”, having stressed that the institution plays a key role in strengthening the continent’s capacity to respond effectively and rapidly to emerging health threats.
The AU Chairperson stressed that the pivotal role that this centre has played has set a commendable standard in disease surveillance, prevention and control, contributing immensely to continental and global health security.
João Lourenço acknowledged the capabilities of the centre’s staff and reaffirmed his commitment to providing continued and robust support to the institution, enabling it to fully accomplish its essential mandate.
“Together, we will build resilient health systems, improve preparedness and ensure a safer and healthier Africa for future generations,” he stressed.
The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention is an autonomous AU’s continental health agency established to support public health initiatives of Member States and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions in order to detect, prevent, control and respond rapidly and effectively to disease threats.
It supports AU Member States in providing coordinated and integrated solutions to the inadequacies in their public health infrastructure, human resource capacity, disease surveillance, lab diagnostics, and preparedness and response to health emergencies and disasters.
Established in Jan 2016 by the 26th Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government and officially launched in Jan 2017, it is guided by the principles of leadership, credibility, ownership, delegated authority, timely dissemination of information and transparency in daily activities.
The institution serves as a platform for Member States to share and exchange knowledge and lessons from public health interventions.
Among others, it aims to establish early warning surveillance and response platforms to address all health threats, health emergencies and natural disasters in a timely and effective manner.
It also aims to assist Member States in bridging the gaps in capacities required for compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).
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