Synopsis
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed calls for increased support from AU members to enhance the Africa CDC as a leading public health institution. He emphasizes collaboration and commitment to improving health across the continent.Key Takeaways
- Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed emphasizes Africa CDC's role.
- Calls for greater AU member support.
- Highlights importance of advanced lab facilities.
- Stresses need for collaboration among African leaders.
- Africa CDC recognized for improving public health.
Addis Ababa, March 15 (NationPress) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged members of the African Union (AU) to enhance their collective efforts to elevate the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) as a leading public health institution.
Abiy expressed these sentiments in a statement following a meeting with Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya on Friday at the headquarters of the AU's specialized healthcare agency in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the advanced laboratory facilities and research capabilities at the Africa CDC are vital in disease prevention and in coordinating continental responses to epidemics and pandemics.
Expressing pride in hosting the Africa CDC, Abiy called on African nations to reinforce their collective commitment to advancing the Africa CDC as a premier public health agency.
"It is essential for us to strengthen this institution in collaboration with partners. I urge fellow African leaders to unite in efforts to establish our continental public health agency as a top-tier institution, fully dedicated to improving health across the continent," he stated.
Founded in January 2016 by African leaders and officially launched a year later, the Africa CDC has earned recognition for its contributions to enhancing public healthcare across Africa. The China-built Africa CDC headquarters in the southern suburb of Addis Ababa was inaugurated in January 2023, marking a significant project in China-Africa public health cooperation, as reported by Xinhua.
In November 2023, the Africa CDC introduced a China-aided reference laboratory at its headquarters. The agency noted that the completion of this laboratory signifies a significant step towards establishing a robust continental public health institution that will assist AU members in improving disease diagnosis, surveillance, and outbreak response.
After meeting with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Kaseya highlighted the agency's commitment to fostering sustainable solutions for a healthier Africa.
"At the Africa CDC, we anticipate continuing our close collaboration with Ethiopia to address major health challenges, strengthen systems, and drive sustainable solutions for a healthier Africa. Together, we are building resilience and securing the future," Kaseya stated.
As the African continent faces numerous disease outbreaks and public health challenges, including the ongoing mpox outbreak, the Africa CDC has emerged as a pivotal public health agency bolstering public health initiatives and enhancing Africa's capacity to quickly and effectively detect, prevent, control, and respond to disease threats.
