Article (23) of the Africa CDC Statute states that “In the execution of its strategic work plan, the Africa CDC will network and harness public health assets in each region including through its Regional Coordinating Centers (RCCs). The coordination and support of the RCCs is to ultimately bring into reality an ‘Africa CDC without walls’ that supports the continent at the point of need, rather than from a centralized, distant location.” Therefore, engagement with key regional partners (Member States, Regional Economic Communities, Donors, and health partners) will ensure better alignment, standardization, and harmonization of approaches to fully harness each region’s different public health efforts and capacities.
In light of this, the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Coordinating Centers (RCCs) hosted a high-level side event during the International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2023) on 29th November 2023. The event, titled ‘The Role of Regional Structures in Strengthening Health Systems and Enhancing Health Security in Africa,’ emphasized the necessity of strengthening health systems in African Member States through targeted programs and effective collaborations. It also explored the pivotal role played by the Africa CDC’s Regional Coordinating Centers in enhancing health system resilience.

Introduction:

The side event commenced with the screening of an insightful video illustrating the progress in implementing the Saving Lives and Livelihood Program. Dr Lul Riek, Regional Director, Southern Africa RCC and Acting Regional Director, Eastern Africa RCC, commenced the proceedings by articulating the objectives of the side event, followed by the formal introduction of esteemed dignitaries.

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The YES! aims to guide Africa CDC’s long-term engagement with young people and mainstream youths’ participation in its decision-making processes for continental health security. The strategy will serve as a roadmap for amplifying youth voices, fostering youth-led innovation for effective digital health delivery services, and nurturing collaboration between young leaders and the Africa CDC leadership. It will also serve as a blueprint for increasing meaningful engagement of young Africans in Africa’s Public Health sector.

In his remarks, Africa CDC Director General, H. E. Dr Jean Kaseya, expressed his delight at the progress made to finalise the strategy and reiterated his commitment to creating spaces for meaningful youth engagement in Africa CDC structures and platforms. He expressed his desire to have a formal youth fellowship programme at Africa CDC that will pave the way for many more young people to contribute their expertise, knowledge, and energies to the realisation of the New Public Health Order. The DG concluded his remarks with a commitment to submit the final Strategy document for the approval and endorsement of the Africa CDC Governing Board.

The workshop builds on a consultation of young health professionals at the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference 2023 held on the margins of CPHIA2023 in Lusaka, Zambia, and a comprehensive desk review of existing youth engagement initiatives on health in Africa. The gathering represented the second phase of the strategy development process, focusing on expert review of the draft document and incorporating views and perspectives of Youth from across the continent.

[End]

Media Inquiries

Communication and Public Information (CPI) Directorate, Africa CDC | Email: Communications@africacdc.org

About Africa CDC’s Youth Engagement Initiatives:

With young people making up over 65% of Africa’s population, their meaningful involvement is essential in realizing the Africa CDC’s vision of the New Public Health Order for Africa (NPHO). Acknowledging this, Africa CDC has been engaging African youth through initiatives such as the AU COVID-19 Vaccination Bingwa Initiative, the Africa CDC’s inaugural Youth Advisory Team for Health (YAT4H), and its annual Youth Pre-Conference on the margins of the CPHIA. The Youth Engagement Strategy is expected to further strengthen and institutionalize these engagement efforts and create a favorable policy and legislative environment for youth leadership.

About Africa CDC

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a continental autonomous Public Health agency of the African Union which supports Member States in their efforts to strengthen health systems and improve surveillance, emergency response, prevention and control of diseases. Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org

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Africa has a high disease burden which not only poses a threat to the health of its people but also impedes its progress towards achieving the Goal 1.3 Healthy and well-nourished citizens of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063.
Africa is also the youngest continent in terms of population, with approximately 60% of Africans being under the age of 25 and 40% of the population reportedly being aged 15 years and younger. By 2030, up to 42% of the world’s youth are projected to be African.

Acknowledging this, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has been engaging African youth through initiatives such as the AU COVID-19 Vaccination Bingwa Initiative and the Africa CDC’s inaugural Youth Advisory Team for Health (YAT4H). Another key element of Africa CDC’s youth engagement efforts is its Youth Pre-Conference, an annual event that brings together young people from across the African continent to discuss and strategise on issues related to health.
From 25 to 26 November 2023, Africa CDC convened the 2nd Youth Pre-Conference in Lusaka, Zambia, on the margins of the 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2023). The theme of the Pre-Conference was “Youth Leadership for a Safer and Healthier Africa”. It aimed to continue and intensify the conversation on youth engagement at Africa CDC and in public health on the African continent. It also provided a platform to showcase examples of youth leadership in innovating public health solutions on the continent and to network across countries and regions.

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The four-day gathering presented an exceptional opportunity for African scientists, researchers, policymakers, and advocates to exchange valuable perspectives and unveil significant research findings in the realm of public health, which are pertinent to improving global health security. It featured global leaders and high-level speakers, including H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), among other policy experts, and emerging researchers from around the world.

Key discussions across multiple sessions during the conference highlighted the complexities and challenges that Africa faces in its health security, as many speakers echoed the call for the continent to change the narrative of global health decision making and use the opportunity at hand – to chart a new course, create health systems capable of withstanding the inevitable shocks. They also emphasized the need to reposition the continent to a place befitting of its status in the global health architecture.

Convened by the Africa CDC and hosted by the government of Zambia CPHIA 2023 featured 9 plenary and 18 parallel sessions, several high-level special sessions, 18 abstract driven sessions, and over 100 side events. The in-person conference commenced following a 3-day virtual programming, which included 18 virtual abstract sessions and more than 30 virtual side events.

See key highlights below:

Cross-section of delegates at CPHIA closing ceremony

The conference concluded with a rallying call for participants to ensure discussions at CPHIA 2023 translates into actions that would strengthen health systems across the continent. Three annual awards were announced during the opening and closing ceremonies at CPHIA 2023:

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, received the Lifetime Achievement in Public Health Award.  This award is given to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to public health and health research on the African continent. Dr. Tedros was recognized for his commitment to ensuring access to healthcare, promoting equity, and tackling emerging health threats, including his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Namubiru Saudah Kizito of Uganda received the award for this year’s Best Oral Abstract Presentation. Dr. Saudah, an Advanced Field Epidemiology Fellow at the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH), delivered a presentation titled “Increasing trends of antibiotic resistance in Uganda, 2018–2021.”Dr. Joseph Fokam of Cameroon received the award for this year’s Best Abstract Poster Presentation. Dr Fokam is a Virologist at Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB/FHS-UB). His abstract is titled “Emerging integrase resistance in dolutegravir-treated individuals calls for more cautious use of dolutegravir-containing regimens in resource limited settings.”

For media enquiries please contact:

Dorothy Njagi | Senior Communication Officer- Communication & Public Information directorate | Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention| African Union| email: email: njagid@africacdc.org  | Website: www.africacdc.org| Addis Ababa| Ethiopia| Facebook | Twitter

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1st December 2023, Lusaka, Zambia – The 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2023) – the annual conference of the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) closed in Lusaka, Zambia, on 30 November, after four days of official conference sessions and side events featuring high-level health and policy experts, emerging researchers and advocates from around the world.

CPHIA 2023’s closing ceremony included remarks from Acting President of Zambia, Mrs Mutale Nalumango; Director General of the Africa CDC, H.E. Jean Kaseya and Minister of Health of  Zambia, Hon. Sylvia Masebo.  speakers reflected on the conference theme, “Breaking Barriers: Repositioning Africa in the Global Health Architecture,” and called on participants to ensure discussions at CPHIA 2023 translate into actions that would strengthen health systems across the continent.

“At CPHIA 2023, I observed an extraordinary movement of African scientists, policymakers, civil society, NGOs,  healthcare workers and a hundred other categories of health professionals coming together in a way that we never have before,  at a gathering organized by ourselves, at home here in Africa,” said H.E. Dr. Kaseya in his closing remarks. “Together, we are truly breaking barriers in global health.”

More than 5,100 participants from 90 countries joined the conference in person, and more than 30,000 watched the livestream. The conference featured nine plenary sessions, 18 parallel sessions, 18 abstract-driven sessions, three special sessions and 97 side events. There were also 197 poster presentations and 50 exhibition booths on site. The in-person event commenced three days after packed virtual programming sessions which took place a week before, with an additional 18 abstract-driven sessions and 33 side events online.

“From the diverse sessions under different tracks to the myriad side events, oral and poster sessions, and the hallway conversations, each has imparted new insights,” said Prof. Margaret Gyapong, CPHIA 2023Co-Chair and Director of the Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Applied Sciences. “By sharing this platform, with like-minded disruptors, all driven by a common goal of ‘Breaking Barriers,’ I have no doubt we will be able to drive extraordinary progress.”

Three annual awards were announced during the opening and closing ceremonies at CPHIA 2023:

• Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, received the Lifetime Achievement in Public Health Award.  This award is given to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to public health and health research on the African continent. Dr. Tedros was recognised for his commitment to ensuring access to healthcare, promoting equity, and tackling emerging health threats, including his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Dr. Namubiru Saudah Kizito of Uganda received the award for this year’s Best Oral Abstract Presentation. Dr. Saudah, an Advanced Field Epidemiology Fellow at the Uganda National Institute of Public Health (UNIPH), delivered a presentation titled “Increasing trends of antibiotic resistance in Uganda, 2018–2021.”
• Dr. Joseph Fokam of Cameroon received the award for this year’s Best Abstract Poster Presentation. Dr Fokam is a Virologist at Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB/FHS-UB). His abstract is titled “Emerging integrase resistance in dolutegravir-treated individuals calls for more cautious use of dolutegravir-containing regimens in resource-limited settings.”

“Various platforms and round table discussions highlighted the complexities, and challenges that Africa faces in public health,” said Acting President Mrs Nalumango in her closing remarks. “Though our public health challenges are many and diverse, we remain hopeful that there is an opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and change.”

H.E. Dr. Kaseya also announced that the fourth edition of the CPHIA 2024 conference will take place next year in Morocco. This will be the first time the conference is held in North Africa.

“CPHIA is a testament to the seismic shift that has happened and what is possible when we stay relentlessly focused on investing in our public health infrastructure and institutions,” Prof. Senait Fisseha, CPHIA 2023 Co-Chair and Vice President of Global Programs, Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. “We are remaking the global health architecture brick by brick, so that it finally meets our needs and serves our institutions and people – and CPHIA marks just the beginning.”

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Media contacts

CPHIA 2023 Secretariat CPHIAcomms@africa-union.org

About Africa CDC

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is the continental autonomous Health agency of the African Union that strengthens the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programmes. Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org  — END —

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H.E Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia

Hon Sylvia Masebo, Minister of Health, Zambia

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization

Prof Margaret Gyapong, Director of the Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) and CPHIA 2023 Co-Chair

Distinguished Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,

I stand before you today with a profound sense of honor and privilege as we gather for the 3rd International Conference on Public Health in Africa.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our host, the Government of Zambia, who has been an excellent partner in shaping this year’s conference.

The theme of this year  underscores a fundamental truth: that health is not only a matter of medical science but also of policy, equity, and global cooperation. 

Breaking barriers requires us to think beyond the confines of traditional healthcare models. It beckons us to harness technology’s power, embrace equity and social justice principles, and foster robust collaborations that span borders and disciplines. It demands a concerted effort to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable among us.

It challenges us to look the barriers that have long impeded Africa’s progress in public health and calls upon us to redefine our position in the global health architecture. Together, we can break, and we will break the barriers that have hindered our progress for far too long and we can forge a new public health order for Africa—one that is resilient, equitable, and capable of meeting the challenges of the future. 

This conference is significant, marking the eve of Africa CDC’s one-year anniversary as an autonomous institution of the African Union. 

Africa CDC has established itself as the premium public health institution of the continent, guided by the visionary leadership of African Heads of State and government. Under this stewardship, Africa CDC has emerged as a beacon of hope and progress, working tirelessly to enhance the health and well-being of the African people. As we gather here today, we not only celebrate this remarkable milestone, but also recognize our Heads of State and Government for their remarkable leadership.

African leaders, including President Hichilema – here present, President Ramaphosa, President Ruto, and others, echoed the need for changes in the global financial architecture. This year’s theme challenges all of us to assess the long-standing barriers that have hindered Africa’s progress in public health. It urges us to reevaluate our stance within the global health architecture.

Under the guidance of His Excellency, H.E President Hichilema, who serves as our champion for Public Health Emergency Operations Centers, Africa CDC has made significant progress. The number of countries with functional PHEOCs will increase from 12 to 32.

His leadership serves as a remarkable model for all of us, and we find inspiration in his unwavering commitment and results-driven approach. As a testament to his exceptional leadership, the President has decided to allocate land and provide financial support for constructing the headquarters of the Africa CDC Southern Regional Coordinating Center.

Under the leadership of our African Heads of State and Government and with the backing of H.E Moussa Faki, the Chairperson of the African Union, I, in my role as the Director-General of Africa CDC, fully dedicated to the realisation of a New Public Health Order for Africa. This vison aims to redefine the healthcare landscape of our continent. It serves as our comprehensive plan for a new era, one where the well-being and prosperity of each and every African are safeguarded, preserved, and improved.

We aim to realise this bold vision and reshape the healthcare landscape of our continent through a strong emphasis on the 5Cs: Community, Connectivity, Capacity, Collaboration, and Climate.

FIRST, COMMUNITY: 

Communities are the foundation upon which a healthier Africa will be built. 

It is disturbing to note that 38 out of the 40 countries with the highest maternal mortality rates are in Africa.

This highlights the pressing need to strengthen the resilience of our communities. To achieve that, we need to manage the looming crisis with a huge gap of community health workers that Africa is facing. This gap may worsen if the existing community health workers continue to go unpaid and encounter a lack of standardisation.

Therefore, Africa CDC is promoting the agenda of 2 million paid and integrated Community Health Workers on the continent by 2030. This concerted initiative will place communities at the forefront of our efforts.

CLIMATE

On average, Africa has 2 new outbreaks per week, totalling more than 100 outbreaks per year. 75% of these outbreaks are zoonotic in origin and worsened by climate change.

As I speak, we have 18 countries affected by cholera with more than 4,000 deaths. We have multiple West African countries affected by dengue. The flooding in a number of countries including Libya, the earthquake in Morocco and a number of other natural disasters are showing the linkage of climate change and health in Africa.

According to the Africa Development Bank, the continent loses 5-15% of its GDP annually due to the impacts of climate change.

Therefore, Africa CDC is committed to supporting African countries to adopt a comprehensive One-health approach to tackle these climate-related challenges. 

CONNECTIVITY

Inadequate connectivity in Africa is leading for under notification of outbreaks. 

The rapid evolution of digital technology offers us an unprecedented opportunity to reshape the way we conduct our work. 

By leveraging the digital advancements, including artificial intelligence, we can enhance our ability to detect emerging health threats, optimize resource allocation, and ultimately improve the well-being of our communities. 

Connectivity will enable us to bridge geographical gaps and create a network of knowledge and information exchange. It will also empower us to address public health challenges with better efficiency and effectiveness.

CAPACITY

Less than 10% of African countries are able to respond to a major outbreak with skilled health workforce.

Africa requires 6,000 field epidemiologists, yet, we currently only have 1,900. Additionally, the continent needs 25,000 frontline epidemiologists, but we presently have just 5,000.

Africa CDC has introduced numerous programs and initiatives, such as Africa Volunteers Health Corps, Kofi Annan, and the Field Epidemiology Training Program, to bridge this gap.

The excessive dependence on imports for essential healthcare products is also a matter of grave concern. Less than 1% of vaccines, 5% of diagnostics and 30% of therapeutics used in Africa are currently manufactured in Africa. This imbalance underscores the urgent need to strengthen our medical manufacturing capabilities to enhance self-reliance and reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions.

Hence, Africa CDC is advocating for an ambitious agenda that aims to ensure that by 2040, a minimum of 60% of vaccines and medicines used in Africa are manufactured within the continent.

As I have to say it, local manufacturing is the 2^nd independence of Africa, because it will mitigate our reliance on external sources, build our health security, promote local innovation, and lead for job creation, economic growth, peace and security. 

COLLABORATION

Collaboration is the key driver of progress and innovation in all human endeavours. The level of collaboration we have achieved is made possible by the support of our communities, member states, donors, and diverse partners. We thank all of them.

Today, I’m delighted to announce a significant development in our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the  “Saving Lives and Livelihoods”, where we are moving into Phase Two to better support countries to be well prepared for the next pandemic. This partnership, in its second phase will extend its reach and impact beyond immediate healthcare responses to cultivate a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and building capacity of Africa CDC.

It’s essential to recognize that no single entity, whether a government agency, healthcare provider, NGO, or academic institution, can effectively address the diverse challenges we confront in isolation. In our interconnected world, collaboration, where we pool our expertise and work collectively, is the linchpin for safeguarding and enhancing population health. Together, across different actors, sectors, and geographies, we can accomplish far more than in isolation.

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen;

Over the weekend, we hosted the Youth Pre-Conference 2023, bringing together young minds and voices. As the First Lady of Namibia reminded us yesterday; the energy, vitality, and potential our young people bring to our continent are truly our most valuable asset. Beyond encouraging active participation, we believe the Youth Pre-Conference 2023 planted the seeds to propel Africa’s vibrant youth into key players in public health. 

We are also deeply committed to advancing gender equity, viewing it as a foundational principle deeply ingrained in our mission. We firmly believe that gender equity isn’t solely a matter of social justice but is also a fundamental driver of prosperity and overall societal well-being. As a testament to our commitment, I pledge to actively work towards increasing the representation of women at decision-making tables, recognising the pivotal role they play in shaping our collective future.

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen;

As I conclude my remarks, I sincerely thank you, Your Excellencies, for your extraordinary contributions to public health. Leadership is essential. It requires foresight, courage, and a profound sense of responsibility to prioritise the health and welfare of a nation’s people.

As we embark on this transformative journey, let us remember the words of Nelson Mandela, who once said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Let this conference be the vessel where we transform the impossible into the achievable. Let it be the platform where we unite our collective knowledge, passion, and determination to chart a course towards a healthier, more equitable Africa.

In the coming days, I encourage each and every one of you to engage in thoughtful and spirited discussions, to challenge the status quo, and to forge innovative solutions that transcend boundaries. Let us leave no stone unturned in our quest to reposition Africa as a formidable force in the global health landscape. This is the spirit that guides us.

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The aim of the fellowship is to build a cohort of journalists across the continent with skills in the nuances of health reporting, which is expected to enhance public health discourse, promote knowledge dissemination, and strengthen accountability for health policies and programmes. Fellows will gain skills to help bridge the information gap, combat health misinformation, and raise awareness around key health issues.

The 40 fellows were chosen from a pool of more than 800 applicants, through a rigorous and competitive selection process. Fellows were chosen based on their compelling submissions and commitment to elevating public health reporting on the continent.

Over a six month period, the fellows will participate in trainings based on a multifaceted curriculum blending the intersection of public health and journalism. The fellows will also receive extensive mentorship from seasoned journalists and media professionals to enhance their skills, and will have the opportunity to attend conference sessions and press briefings and to interview public health experts attending CPHIA 2023.

In welcoming the fellows to the programme, Prof. Margaret Gyapong, Director, Institute of Health Research and Co-chair of CPHIA 2023 said, “We are extremely proud to kickstart the CPHIA Journalism Fellowship Programme and to welcome our inaugural fellows. I implore the fellows to utilise the opportunity the fellowship will provide them to develop skills and networks that will advance their work, improve coverage of public health issues across the continent, and help us achieve the new public health order.’’

Dr Benjamin Djoudalbaye, Head of Policy, Health Diplomacy and Communication at Africa CDC, said, ‘’The CPHIA Journalism Fellowship Programme was borne out of the desire to build a network of specialist health reporters that understand the importance of public health communications, which we believe will improve coverage of health issues in African media. We look forward to supporting the inaugural fellows over the next six months and beyond to improve their skills and report on highly important public health challenges, solutions and innovations in Africa.’’

The CPHIA Journalism Fellowship Programme will be delivered in partnership with AllAfrica.com, one of the official media partners for CPHIA 2023. Juanita Williams, Managing Editor at AllAfrica.com, said, ‘’This programme has been designed to provide critical skills to the fellows through a combination of training, mentorship, and on-the-ground experience. We have taken into account the needs and challenges of public health reporting on the continent, and have developed the fellowship curriculum to address the gaps and challenges that many health reporters face. We look forward to undergoing this journey with the fellows and supporting them during and after the fellowship.’’

Please meet the CPHIA 2023 Journalism fellows.

For additional information about the conference and to register for the event, please visit www.cphia2023.com.

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Media contacts

CPHIA 2023 Comms

CPHIAcomms@africa-union.org

Nekerwon Gweh

Communication & Media Engagement, Africa CDC

GwehN@africa-union.org

About Africa CDC

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is the continental autonomous Health agency of the African Union that strengthens the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programmes. Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org  — END —

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14 December 2022, Kigali, Rwanda – The 2nd International Conference on Public Health in
Africa (CPHIA 2022), which will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, at the Kigali Convention Centre kicks
off today with African Heads of State, ministers of health, and leading researchers and scientists
scheduled to give remarks during three days of official sessions. The conference, which is
taking place from 13-15 December, is now in its second edition and aims to build on
conversations started at CPHIA 2021, helping to serve as a catalyst for accelerating progress
against the continent’s most significant health challenges and building more resilient health
systems.
CPHIA 2022, hosted by the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention (Africa CDC) in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, will include remarks
from several distinguished speakers including Rt. Hon. Édouard Ngirente Prime Minister of the
Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Dr. Yvan Butera, State Minister of Health, Rwanda, Dr. Tedros
Adhanom Ghebreyesus Director-General at the World Health Organization (WHO), Professor
Agnes Binagwaho, CPHIA 2022 Co-chair, Prof. Senait Fisseha, CPHIA 2022 Co-Chair and Dr.
Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Acting Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
(Africa CDC).
“There has been an incredible amount of interest in CPHIA 2022 from across Africa and around
the world. It is clear this conference is needed now more than ever,” said Professor Senait
Fisseha, CPHIA 2022 Co-Chair and Vice President at The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation.
“Last year’s virtual conference, CPHIA 2021, was a tremendous success and this year’s convening we’re excited to build on that for the second edition. We hope to continue using this
extraordinary conference as a platform to elevate and advance African voices and solutions for
years to come.”
CPHIA 2022 will feature nine plenary sessions, 14 parallel sessions, 9 abstract-driven sessions,
a high-level ministerial session and opening and closing ceremonies. There will also be more
than 50 official in-person side events in Kigali beginning on 12 December, plus an additional 10
side events held virtually.
“This conference brings essential conversations about Africa to Africa – conversations on topics
like pandemic preparedness, increasing local vaccine production, tackling infectious and
non-communicable diseases and African leadership in health,”, said Professor Agnes
Binagwaho, CPHIA 2022 Co-chair. “We are grateful to the Africa CDC and our CPHIA 2022
co-hosts the Rwandan Government for bringing us together this year and driving progress
toward the Africa We Want.”
The conference is coming at a critical time when many African countries continue to feel the
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which not only exerted enormous pressure on health
systems but also sounded the alarm on the need to reform and revitalize the continent’s health
system. Additionally, the witnessed emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease
outbreaks such as Ebola and the growing burden of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) further
pose a grave threat to the health and lives of millions in Africa.
“It’s time that countries should collectively invest in stronger health system governance,
including multisectoral collaboration within countries,” said Dr Ahmed Ouma, Ag. Director, Africa
CDC. “Africa CDC has presented its vision of a New Public Health Order, which aims to ensure
that effective health systems exist before a crisis and remain resilient during and post-crisis.
CPHIA 2022 will shine a spotlight on this new approach to public health shaped by local
leadership and regional solutions.”
“Recurrent outbreaks highlight gaps in our health systems,” said Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, Minister
of Health, Rwanda. “CPHIA 2022 is a great opportunity to come together as leaders in the
public health sector and discuss building more resilient systems that will allow our countries to
better respond to emerging health threats while continuing to address long-standing infectious
and non communicable diseases,” he added.
Other leaders expected to participate in the conference include Prof Salim Abdool
Karim, Director, Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Madam
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, UNAIDS, Cheikh Oumar Seydi, Director, Africa, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Prof Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General for Rwanda
Biomedical Centre (RBC) and Dr Monique Wasunna, Director, Drugs for Neglected Diseases
initiative, Africa Regional Office, among many others.
For additional information about the conference and to register for the event, please visit
www.cphia2022.com.

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Media contacts
Nekerwon Gweh
Communication & Media Engagement, Africa CDC
GwehN@africa-union.org
Chrys P. Kaniki
Senior Technical Officer for Strategic Programs,
AU COVID-19 Vaccination Bingwa Initiative Coordinator
KanikiC@africa-union.org
Ouma Onyango
Manager
Global Health Strategies
oonyango@globalhealthstrategies.com
About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), is the continental
autonomous Health agency of the African Union that strengthens the capacity and capability of
Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and
effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programmes.
Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org
— END —

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