Latest news with #AfricaCDC
Zawya
a day ago
- Health
- Zawya
Africa Unites to Take Stock of Disease Burden and Financial Needs towards Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)s Elimination by 2030
Fifty African Union Member States have endorsed a ground-breaking digital micro-planning portal co-created by Africa CDC to accelerate the elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases — a diverse group of infectious diseases that primarily affect impoverished communities in tropical and subtropical areas. This innovative platform developed with inputs from Member States, World Health Organization (WHO), END Fund, and other technical partners will track resource utilisation, advocate for sustainable financing and domestic resource mobilisation, and drive Africa-owned solutions to end these diseases of poverty by 2030. Each Member State shared a country-specific micro-plan for the top six high-burden NTDs guided by existing national Masterplans. This continental NTD microplanning workshop, held from 17 to 20 June occurred in the context of the recent reduction in funding from key global partners, which has disrupted essential NTD programmes and exposed the vulnerabilities in current financing models. 'Public health efforts across Africa are under threat, funding is among the challenges, noting that this makes the continued engagement and energy around NTD elimination even more commendable,' said Dr Raji Tajudeen, Africa CDC Acting Deputy Director General and Head, Division of Public Health Institutes and Research. Dr Dereje Duguma Gemeda, Ethiopian State Minister for Health said the workshop will help countries have a practical and data driven NTDs plan that will improve efforts to accelerate elimination efforts. Currently, 'The African Region is endemic for 20 of the 21-priority neglected tropical diseases; affecting over 565 million people and comprising 35 per cent of the global disease burden,' said Dr Ibrahima Soce Fall – Global NTD Director at the WHO. These diseases lead to significant morbidity, including physical and visual impairments, severe malnutrition, chronic pain, disfigurement, stigma and mental health issues, and death,' he said. Common NTDs include Intestinal worms, lymphatic filariasis, river blindness, Schistosomiasis, trachoma, and Visceral leishmaniasis. This new approach of micro-planning is designed to drive integrated country and regional planning, streamline resource mobilisation, and enhance budget efficiency—minimising duplication and maximising impact—to accelerate the elimination of NTDs. 'This situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable, country-owned solutions that leverage existing national capacities, optimize domestic resources, and identify key areas requiring targeted external investment,' said Dr states and partners over the 4 days immersed opportunity for cross country experience sharing and planning are keen to find a financial solution for integrated multi-sectoral NTD elimination. 'We stand at a critical juncture, not just for NTD elimination, but for rethinking health financing in Africa. Traditional reliance on foreign aid has demonstrated its limits. It's time for collaborative, country-led financing strategies that harness catalytic opportunities from residual foreign assistance while boosting efficiency in programming and domestic resource mobilization,' said Dr Solomon Zewdu, CEO, The END fund. 'This approach will drive the needed long-term sustainability and resilience. The END Fund is committed to being a trusted partner in this transformation, supporting governments and partners in developing co-financing models that deliver results and leave no community behind,' said Dr Zewdu. The meeting ensured countries have a comprehensive and costed country, and regional specific microplan for NTDs, identified country-specific technical assistance needs and detailed existing resources and partners within each member state to enhance collaboration and resource sharing. 'The elimination of NTDs is more than a public health objective: it is a lever for development and a decisive step towards achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063,' said Professor Julio Rakotonirina, Director for Health and Humanitarian Affairs, African Union Commission. 'The development of the micro-plan is only the first step. Success will lie in national ownership, resource mobilization, and, above all, operationalization on the ground.'Africa CDC, The END Fund and partners solidified their partnership with the micro-planning platform to accelerate ending NTD's by 2030. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Hoping that viruses will go away is not enough – what is needed is continuous vigilance
In the public debate about pandemics, there is a belief as persistent as it is dangerous: the idea that epidemics end, that viruses – once contained – will disappear like a summer storm. But virology and epidemiology teach us that viruses do not disappear. Viruses adapt and mutate. They lurk in the folds of health inequalities and gaps in global surveillance. The latest alarm comes from Sierra Leone, which, after reporting its first two cases of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) in January and declaring a public health emergency, is now facing a significant expansion of the epidemic. According to official sources, the country has reported over 3,000 confirmed cases and at least 15 deaths, with infections concentrated particularly in Western Area Urban, Western Area Rural, and Bombali. National health authorities, assisted by the WHO, Unicef, Africa CDC, and Gavi, have implemented a comprehensive emergency plan: strengthening surveillance, isolating cases, contact tracing, and launching awareness campaigns in schools and rural communities. As a result, 61,300 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, and hundreds of health workers are being trained on diagnostic, treatment, and prevention protocols. This outbreak is becoming particularly worrisome due to the high vulnerability of children, who face a mortality risk up to four times higher than adults, especially in conditions of malnutrition or poor hygiene. On a continental scale, Africa is witnessing a rise in cases, with over 50,000 reported since the beginning of the year and more than 1,700 deaths. A critical factor is the viral clade involved. While full genomic mapping is still underway, the Africa CDC has reported that clade IIb, which has been associated with faster human-to-human transmission and potentially exponential spread, is likely the dominant strain in Sierra Leone. Despite Sierra Leone's improved emergency response capacity, gained during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak, healthcare infrastructure remains under strain. Patients often share beds, and clinical recognition delays persist, reflecting systemic pressures that could hamper containment efforts. Viruses return when the world 'moves on' Recent history, from Covid-19 to polio, shows that viruses do not 'die out' with a decree or a short-lived vaccination campaign. Zoonotic viruses, in particular, have an inherent ability to remain in circulation between animal and human hosts, often with different symptomatologies, and to re-emerge under favourable conditions. When surveillance loosens, when public health is underfunded, when the world 'moves on,' viruses return. Mpox is emblematic in this regard. For decades considered a virus confined to parts of central Africa, it has found new vectors, new susceptible populations, and new routes of transmission. Its recent mutations – linked to clade IIb – suggest adaptations to human infection that could make it endemic even in hitherto unaffected areas. Its apparent disappearance in high-income countries after the 2022-2023 wave is illusory: it was not a biological defeat, but a logistical suspension. Yet there are examples of good health behaviour from which the whole world should draw inspiration. In Tanzania in 2023, a small outbreak of Marburg virus – one of the world's deadliest pathogens, belonging to the same family as Ebola – was contained through a timely, transparent and coordinated response. The Tanzanian Ministry of Health quickly put in place measures for contact tracing, case isolation, effective public communication and cooperation with WHO. Similar efficiency was demonstrated in Rwanda, where preparedness for potential Marburg cases became a pillar of public health strategy, despite the fact that no outbreaks had occurred. Both countries invested in decentralised surveillance systems, widespread health training, and integration of human and veterinary medicine-embodying the concept of 'One Health'. These examples show that prevention is not a luxury of rich countries, but a strategic choice that is possible everywhere if supported by political will and real, non-paternalistic international cooperation. The new mpox outbreak in Sierra Leone must be interpreted in light of a fundamental fact: the transmissibility of viruses knows no geopolitical boundaries. Emerging diseases are now more than ever a global health security issue. A delay in diagnosis in Freetown can trigger an infection in Paris, London or Toronto within days. Yet funding for surveillance and diagnostic laboratories remains concentrated in a few areas. Large regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America lack sentinel systems capable of detecting new threats in real time. Where the first patient is not identified, the virus has already won the first round. Continuing to hope that 'it won't happen here,' or that 'this time it is just a small outbreak,' is a mistake we have already paid dearly for. The mpox emergency in Sierra Leone is not yet a pandemic, but it is already an opportunity: to invest, to coordinate, to train. Epidemiological surveillance must become a structural and continuous investment, not an emergency response. We need a global network that not only responds, but predicts. One that recognises the global potential in seemingly minor outbreaks, and that funds local health systems not just to treat, but to monitor and to anticipate. Hoping that viruses will disappear is an understandable but naive wish. The only scientifically sound response is permanent, equitable, multilevel surveillance. We can no longer afford to ignore weak signals. Every contained outbreak is a shared victory; every ignored outbreak is a global defeat waiting to happen. Francesco Branda is an Adjunct professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Africa CDC urges countries to strengthen public health systems
HARARE, June 25 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Wednesday urged African countries to bolster their public health systems in preparation for future pandemics and health threats. Speaking at the opening of the Fourth Annual Southern Africa National Public Health Institute (NPHI) Meeting held in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare on Wednesday, Africa CDC Regional Director Lul Riek said pandemics such as COVID-19, Marburg virus and mpox exposed weaknesses in the continent's health mechanisms, policies and interventions, hence the need for Africa to build robust public health systems. "Based on the lessons that we have learned, it is necessary for every country in Africa to have a functional, operational NPHI," Riek said, adding that the capacity gaps identified during the previous pandemics led the Africa CDC to formulate a new public health order to prepare Africa for future pandemics and health threats. According to Riek, the new public health order hinges on five pillars, namely strengthening NPHIs, expanding local manufacturing, enhancing the public health workforce, increasing domestic health financing, and fostering action-oriented partnerships. "Our ultimate goal is to ensure that all 55 African Union members have functional NPHIs capable of driving progress toward a healthier, more resilient Africa," Riek said, noting that NPHIs play a vital role in promoting health, preventing disease, and protecting populations. He told Xinhua in a follow-up interview that 10 out of the 16 Southern African Development Community members have functional NPHIs and urged remaining countries, including Zimbabwe, to establish the institutes. Desta Tiruneh, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative for Zimbabwe, noted that NPHIs are crucial in bolstering the resilience of Africa's public health systems amid declining external funding for the health sector. "NPHIs have a pivotal role to play. As national centers of public health expertise and coordination, their role in research, training, capacity building, and emergency response coordination is indispensable," said Tiruneh, reaffirming the WHO's support to African countries in building resilient and sustainable public health systems.
The Star
3 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Africa CDC commends health partnerships with China
HARARE, June 25 (Xinhua) -- An official from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Wednesday hailed China as an excellent partner for the regional health organization. On the sidelines of the fourth annual regional national public health institute (NPHI) meeting for Southern Africa in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, Africa CDC Regional Director Lul Riek told Xinhua that China has offered much support for building health infrastructure. "China is an excellent partner for the work of the Africa CDC. Our beautiful emergency operations and disease control facility in Ethiopia was made possible because of the partnership that we have with China," said Riek. The Africa CDC headquarters, recognized as a flagship project in China-Africa public health cooperation, was officially inaugurated in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in 2023. Riek called for more partnership with China in supporting African countries with public health infrastructure, training capacity for laboratories and the building of NPHIs. During the meeting, Riek also urged African countries to strengthen their public health systems in case of future pandemics and health threats. "Our ultimate goal is to ensure that all 55 African Union members have functional NPHIs capable of driving progress toward a healthier, more resilient Africa," Riek said.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Opella Egypt leads with purpose at Africa Health ExCon
Egypt – Opella Egypt participated as a Gold Sponsor at Africa Health ExCon 2025, co-hosted by Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Africa's leading healthcare event. The conference welcomed over 60,000 attendees from 150+ countries, held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. 'Towards Sustainable Healthcare' session, held by Opella on June 25, focused on Opella's sustainability, B Corp certification and self-care vision. At the heart of the session was a panel on e-Labelling, a joint ambition by Opella and the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA) to cut waste and expand access to reliable health information. The takeaway was simple: Digital, eco-friendly tools aren't optional. They're essential for a smarter, more sustainable future. Opella leaders, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the EDA, South Africa's regulatory bodies, and the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) contributed valuable insights. The message was clear: Long-term impact starts with informed choices, stronger health literacy, and is bolstered by collaboration. Opella achieved a new milestone on its journey to deliver responsible self-care for people and planet. Certified by B Lab, B Corp recognizes companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Marissa Saretsky, Chief Sustainability Officer: ' We are proud to be the first global consumer healthcare company to achieve B Corp Certification, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and accountability. Our strategy towards a healthier planet and society focuses on decarbonizing our operations and value chain, embedding circularity, driving health literacy and supporting surrounding communities through NGO partnerships. We look forward to working with all partners across the sector to make sustainable self-care second nature. ' Dr Josephine Fubara, Chief Science Officer: ' e-Labeling puts more power in the hands of consumers. It empowers consumers by making self-care easier, more accessible, and sustainable—while simplifying healthcare for everyone. To realize its full potential, we need early, open collaboration across regulators, industry, healthcare professionals, and patients. ' Feirouz Ellouze, General Manager (AMET): ' Opella's presence at the conference highlights our commitment to sustainable healthcare systems. We are a dedicated global self-care leader, ready to meet the health needs of consumers. Our independence allows us to innovate faster and stay focused on our mission: making self-care as simple as it should be - for everyone. ' The EDA has been leading a multi-phase e-Labelling shift to modernize medicine information and boost sustainability. Launched in 2022, The initiative, launched in 2022, replaces paper leaflets with QR-linked digital formats, starting with hospital-use products. Now in its second phase, it supports health literacy, cuts paper waste, and sets the stage for full digital integration using global standards. By digitizing the 60 million leaflets provided annually by Opella Egypt alone, we could save 300 tonnes of carbon emissions and protect 5,400 trees. Recognizing the significance of collaboration and active participation among various stakeholders, Opella is committed to supporting initiatives that facilitate this transition and drive sustainable change. About Opella. Opella is the self-care challenger with third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally. Our mission is to bring health in people's hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting. At the core of this mission are our brands worldwide, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many brands worldwide, including Telfast, Doliprane, Bronchicum, Enterogermina, Maalox, Nasacort, Maxilase, Bisolvon and Buscopan, B Corp certified, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet.
