Location: Zambia

Organization: African Union

AU Values 

            • Respect for Diversity and Team Work             • Think Africa Above all                     

            • Transparency and Accountability                    • Integrity and Impartiality                       

            • Efficiency and Professionalism                       • Information and Knowledge Sharing

Organization Information

Reports to: Regional Directors
Directorate/Department/Organ:  Africa CDC
Division: Regional Coordinating Centre (Lusaka)
Number of Direct Reports: –
Number of Indirect Reports: –
Job Grade: P2
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Purpose of Job

The Finance and Operations Officer is responsible for the day-to-day financial and operational activities of the RCCs. This includes managing budgets, accounts, procurement, and facilities management. The Finance and Operations Officer will also work to support the RCCs in achieving their objectives and have hierarchical supervision from the Regional Director as well as functional supervision from the Directors of Administration and Finance.

Main Functions

• Assist in the following up on the activities of the RCC, including monitoring and evaluating progress made in line with a predefined strategic plan.
• Manage and maintain updated organisation asset, and inventory in the region.
• Support the headquarters procurement team to set up a regional approved suppliers database.
• Support the headquarters procurement team to ventilate all calls for tenders and expression of interest in the region.
• Support in disseminating any job offers from headquarters human resource team in all member states of the region.
• Support AfCDC Administration and Finance Directorates at any time when need be.
• Suggest new and expand on existing policy areas for planned research.
• Contribute in conducting analysis and generate accurate reports in a timely manner for the respective RCC and Africa CDC’s internal use.
• Assist in setting the overall research direction of a relevant policy area.
• Responsible for the delegation and execution of defined research areas.
• Participate in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders.
• Engage with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships. Support the promotion of the activities of the RCC including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.
• Assist in drafting functional reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the RCC.
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Manage budgets and ensure that they are in line with the RCCs’ objectives.
• Design and implement financial and operational policies and procedures for the Regional Coordinating Centres (RCCs) of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
• Coordinate and oversee the financial and operational activities of the RCCs, ensuring compliance with Africa CDC and African Union rules and regulations.
• Prepare and monitor the annual budgets and work plans of the RCCs, liaising with the Africa CDC headquarters and the regional partners.
• Provide timely and accurate financial and operational reports to the Africa CDC management and donors, highlighting achievements, challenges and recommendations.
• Manage the human resources, procurement, logistics, security and administrative functions of the RCCs, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the RCC staff, regional stakeholders, donors and other partners, representing the Africa CDC in relevant meetings and forums.
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks, ensuring adherence to internal controls and audit recommendations.
• Support the RCCs in resource mobilization, proposal development and grant management.
• Provide technical guidance and capacity building to the RCC staff on financial and operational matters.
• Prepare financial reports and ensure that they are accurate and timely.
• Administer accounts and ensure that payments are made on time and in accordance with the RCCs’ policies.
• Oversee procurement activities and ensure that goods and services are purchased in a cost-effective manner.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Africa CDC Director or his/her designate

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree OR a Masters Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field. coupled with at least five (5) and two (2) years relevant work experience for Bachelor  and Masters degree holders respectively, in financial and operational management of complex projects or programs, preferably in the public health or development sector.
• A professional certification (such as CPA, CMA, ACCA, etc.) is preferred.
• At least five years of relevant experience 
• Experience with financial software management. 
• Experience in financial management.
• Experience in contract management at the regional level.
• Experience in cash management and relations with banks.
• Experience with procurement procedures.
• Experience with facilities management.
• Knowledge of the public health sector. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in budgeting, accounting, reporting, auditing, procurement, human resources, and logistics management.
• Familiarity with Africa CDC policies and procedures, donor regulations (such as USAID, EU, etc.), and local laws applicable to the RCCs is an added advantage.  

Required Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (especially Excel) and accounting software (such as QuickBooks, SAP, etc.).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French. Knowledge of other African Union working languages is an asset.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel within the region and to other locations as required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Leadership Competencies

Change Management..

Managing Risk…

Core Competencies

Teamwork and Collaboration..

Accountability awareness and Compliance..

Learning Orientation..

Communicating with Influence

Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving

Job Knowledge and information sharing..

Drive for result..

Continuous Improvement Focus

TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The Appointment will be made on a fixed term contract for a period of one (1) year, of which the first three (3) months will be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract may be renewed for a similar period subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and agreed deliverables. 

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

LANGUAGES:
Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

REMUNERATION:

The salary attached to the position is an annual lump-sum of US$ 77,377.01 (P2 Step 5) inclusive of all allowances for internationally recruited staff, and US$  63,837.07  inclusive of all allowances for locally recruited staff of the African Union Commission.

Applications must be submitted no later than June 3, 2024 11h59 p.m. EAT.
-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted. -Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, Master’s degrees and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
-The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
-Candidates from less represented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles. These countries include Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Sahrawi D.R., Sao Tome and Principe., Seychelles, Somalia and Tunisia.

Requisition ID: 2240

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The CBVs who are deployed for three (3) months, are trusted members of their communities and will serve as a vital link between community members and healthcare providers, offering support in health education, hygiene and health promotion, community mobilisation, psychosocial support, including stigma prevention, as well as dis/misinformation management at the community level.

Speaking on behalf of the Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya, Dr Lul Riek mentioned that the call for community health workers is in line with the Africa Union Heads of State and Government decision to expedite recruitment, training and deployment of 2 million Community Health Workers (CHWs) across the continent. ‘‘This is also consistent with the Africa CDC New Public Health Order that calls for a strong health workforce development and robust network of community healthcare workers,’’ he said.

This deployment marks a pivotal step in Africa CDC’s commitment to promoting health equity and empowering communities to take charge of their health. Through personalised interactions at the community level, CBVs will connect individuals with healthcare services, breaking down barriers to access and information and ensuring that community members receive timely care and treatment. CBVs will be disseminating information on cholera preventive measures and good hygiene practices, thereby empowering community members to participate actively in the fight against cholera.

Officiating the CBVs deployment, Honourable Sylvia Masebo, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Zambia, noted that engaging the communities on Cholera is highly critical and significant because all outbreaks start within the communities and end with active participation and engagement of community members.

The engagement of volunteers, recruited from within their communities, highlights the transformative potential of community-led solutions and reflects Africa CDC’s dedication to strengthening health systems across the continent.

In addition, Africa CDC support to the cholera response efforts in Zambia includes the deployment of 15 technical assistance officers; production of information, education and communication materials; strengthening laboratory capacity for genomic sequencing; training of 50 healthcare workers on sample collection and referral; recruitment and deployment of 150 clinical management staff including 20 Medical Officers, 100 Nurses, 4 Laboratory Scientists, 16 Clinical Officers, and 10 Environmental Officers for the next three months.  Africa CDC will similarly support with the procurement of medical supplies, including Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and disinfectants as well as strengthening cross-border surveillance to circumvent further spread control of the outbreak.  

For more information:

Dr. Merawi Aragaw| Head of Division for Surveillance and Disease Intelligence | Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention| African Union| email: merawia@africacdc.org| M: +251912611294 Website: www.africacdc.org| Addis Ababa| Ethiopia| Facebook | Twitter

For media inquiry:

Directorate of Communication and Public Information|Communications@africacdc.org| Website: www.africacdc.org | Addis Ababa| Ethiopia| Facebook | Twitter

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. For more information, visit https://africacdc.org

The post Africa CDC Deploys 500 Community-Based Volunteers to Support Cholera Response in Zambia appeared first on Africa CDC.

The cumulative equipment across the five (5) Member States, which consists of 465 refrigerators and freezers, 1,150 temperature monitors, 5,253 vaccine carriers and cold boxes, and 2 cold rooms, all valued up to USD 3.3 million, will significantly enhance the healthcare infrastructure and capabilities. The equipment is designed to efficiently manage vaccines and vital medical supplies, supporting the expansion of COVID-19 vaccination and other programs, including routine Immunization, which aims to ensure safe and effective vaccines reach every child. By expanding the cold chain storage capacity, the Ministries of Health will be able to offer a more comprehensive vaccination program and improve vaccine coverage rates.

H.E Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Africa CDC Director General, emphasizes the significant benefits of this equipment in minimizing vaccine wastage due to temperature fluctuations. “This optimization allows the Ministries of Health to allocate healthcare budgets more effectively and allocate resources to other critical areas of healthcare. The availability of CCE facilitates extensive immunization activities, reaching remote and underserved communities. This, in turn, leads to improved vaccine coverage rates, reducing the prevalence of vaccine-preventable diseases, including COVID-19, and strengthening health security in Africa towards attaining global health security,” Dr Kaseya said.

The provision of Cold Chain Equipment is crucial in preserving vaccines and maintaining the efficacy of temperature-sensitive medical supplies. The addition of freezers and refrigerators enables member states to store a wider range of vaccines, including those requiring ultra-low temperatures like COVID-19. This expansion of cold chain storage is essential to pandemic preparedness and will enable member states to offer more comprehensive vaccination programs.

The cold boxes and vaccine carriers provide reliable transportation while maintaining the recommended vaccine temperature, ensuring vaccine efficacy and safety. This feature increases geographic coverage and contributes to improved immunization service delivery and health security in Africa by enhancing the capacity of Ministries of Health to manage vaccines and strengthen their cold chain systems.

During the handover ceremony in Zambia, the Honorable Sylvia Masebo, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Zambia, highlighted that the support from Afric a CDC aligns with Zambia’s goals to have readily available life-saving vaccines and strengthened cold chain capacity, and the Ministry will seek more equipment to build on the gains made, while implementing the integration of COVID-19 vaccines into primary healthcare services.

The Africa CDC, Mastercard Foundation, and UNICEF anticipate the successful installation and efficient use of these CCEs in healthcare facilities, positively catalyzing and strengthening the healthcare landscape in the Member States. With this support, the Ministries of Health are better positioned to respond effectively to public health emergencies, ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments. The support provided by the Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation demonstrates their commitment to strengthening healthcare systems in Africa. It underscores the importance of collective collaboration in addressing global health challenges and ensuring vaccine equity for Africa.

For more information:
Dr Merawi Aragaw| Head of Division for Surveillance and Disease Intelligence | Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention| African Union| email: merawia@africa-union.org| M: +251912611294 Website: www.africacdc.org| Addis Ababa| Ethiopia| Facebook | Twitter

For media inquiry:

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

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. For more information, visit https://africacdc.org/

About the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative

The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative is a USD 1.5 million partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) that aims to ensure vaccine equity for Africa by purchasing vaccines for more than 65 million people, supporting in the delivery of vaccinations to millions more, and integrating the covid-19 vaccine into routine immunization in Africa. The initiative supports and contributes to the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which seeks to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. For more information on the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative, please visit:     https://africacdc.org/saving-lives-and-livelihoods/

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I greet you on behalf of the Organization of African First Ladies (“OAFLAD”), of which I am the President, and the First Lady of Zambia being one of the 43 African First Ladies who is a member. We are both here to acknowledge and support the leadership of AFRICA CDC in convening young people and ensuring they are not left out of the important conversations on how Africa intends to shape a new public health order.

OAFLAD is also engaged in what we call a unifying campaign. It’s a continent-wide campaign for gender equality that will be launched by First Ladies, in their respective countries, across the continent. The campaign will focus on the central tenant that WE ARE EQUAL. The focus will be on actions that can be taken to advance equality in the areas of gender-based violence, economic empowerment, education and of course, health. It would be an honour and a privilege to have youth advocates for this campaign, so please let US know if you are interested in being an advocacy partner. Just yesterday, I had the distinct privilege of being in Nairobi, where the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya hosted a very successful and well attended “We are Equal campaign” launch event, which enjoyed the presence of the President of the Republic of Kenya, senior government leaders, as well as 20 000 women from all over Kenya. That speaks to the convening power of First Ladies, and why OAFLAD chose to harness the collective advocacy strength of First Ladies to ignite and advance important societal conversations.

There is no place I would rather be than in this room with all of you today. CPHIA is Africa taking its destiny into its own hands, and the Youth Pre-Conference is how we ensure that the ideas and energy of young people are integrated into this consequential initiative. In addition to networking amongst each other, you also get to network with the rockstars of African public health, powerhouses like Dr Tedros from WHO; Michel Sidibe, the former UNAIDS head; Jean Kaseya, DG of Africa CDC; Amb. John Nkengosang, the head of Pepfar and former Head of Africa CDC; Professor Sennait Fisseha, Vice president of Global Programs at the Susan Buffet Foundation and chief advisor to the WHO DG; Dr Muhamed Ali Pati, the Minister of Health and Social welfare in Nigeria; Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa; Githinji Gitahi, CEO of Amref Health Africa; Dr Kesete Amasu, CEO of Big Win Philanthropy and former Minister of Health in Ethiopia; Dr Magda Robala, president of the Institute for Global Health and Development and many other incredible African public health powerhouses.

These are people you will meet in the corridors. When you see them, please do ask for selfies, as I am sure you will – but also introduce yourself, and your work. Those are your future bosses. Those are the people whose roles you will be taking over one day so they should at least know your name.

Those African public health rockstars are the people whose career paths you should understand and follow. They are also the people who you want to watch how they wield power. [A case study is Dr Tedros and how he has handled the complex and contested issues around Tigray, and Gaza]. These powerhouses in public health are not presidents, and many are not politicians, but they are political. They have access to Presidents, they have institutional powers of their own, and you may want to want to watch how they use their power and proximity to advance Africa’s public health agenda.

Many of you may wonder where you fit in the politics of your respective countries. Some of you may be politically engaged in ruling or opposition parties, and some of you may have given up hope or prefer to be politically neutral for a variety of reasons. I understand those nuances and the exceptions to this statement. There is no right or wrong path because you don’t need to be a politician to lead. As a matter of fact, you don’t need anyone’s permission to lead. However, I want you to consider that politics decides who gets what, and how. Public health is political. The public health rockstars I mentioned are all political creatures. They may not want to be, but to be effective, they have to be. Many even needed political support from their countries to be appointed to the jobs they have now.

Kwame Nkrumah is known to have paraphrased from the bible when he said, “Seek ye first the political kingdom and all else shall be added to you.” The politics-first approach recognizes that politics decides who gets what, and when. If you are not a politician and do not aspire to be, that’s a perfectly fine choice. You, however, don’t have a choice in needing to be political. Politics influences the lives of people. Public health is about people. To get them what they need, when they need it, you must be able to influence politics and politicians.

The Government is required to solve society’s most complex problems. We need our best brains at the table. Who ends up at the table is often determined by politics. This is how many of you are often led by people you went to school with who never paid attention in class.

Whether your power is community mobilization or mandated power from elections, power is power. It is important for those who seek power, whether activists or politicians, to analyze their motives. Activists who end up trading their community power to seek political power without having a plan often end up behaving worse than the politicians they once opposed. Never seek power, any form of power, for the sake of it. Have a plan of what you want to do with it, and stay faithful to that plan, no matter what. As young people interested in public health, your motives are clear: It’s for public health. Public health is political, and to change people’s lives, you do not need to be a politician, but you do need to be politically savvy.

This is why it’s essential that you are here. Youth have power. You need to be able to leverage that power. Each generation sees the world differently, and for your vision and dynamism to shape the future of public health, it must first be seen. Thank you, Africa CDC, for seeing the power of the youth.

As a First Lady, many people see me but don’t really see me. Their eyes are fixed on the power of the President. Has anyone ever shaken your hand without looking at you? That’s what happens to me all the time. I walk behind my husband and I must shake hands after he has passed. Many shake my hand without looking at me. I don’t mind, I understand that power, and proximity to power, is not the same thing.

I also understand that sometimes, not being seen is a superpower as you can watch people silently, without them noticing you are watching. I have a front-row seat in observing how people use their power, and how they act around power. All of you interact with power every day. There are some situations where you have the power and other interactions where you are powerless. The rockstars I referred to have power and some of you are in proximity to that power.

I don’t have power; I have proximity to power. I know what that means and what it doesn’t mean. A lesson I will share during my presentation later on adolescent health is the decision you make around how you use proximity to power. Do you use it to empower yourself and those around you, or do you use it to empower the powerless? Please don’t waste your proximity to power for selfies; because proximity is power in itself, so use it wisely.

I have this discussion of how to leverage politics and power often with young people in Namibia and across the continent, and I am pleased to have it with you today. Not everything on these topics can be said on public platforms, so I look forward to engaging many of you away from the microphones. I feel this is my duty to youth because I have seen how many have been sucked into, and spat out of political circles without optimal usage of their talents.

I have a particular fondness for young people in public health as I understand, as you do, that when public health policy and practice gets it wrong, people die. When public health gets it right, people live. Simply put, being effective at what you do is a matter of life and death.

In recognizing your value and potential as youth, we also recognize the value of partnerships. The journey of youth progress is a collective journey. It is a collaborative effort that requires the alignment of governments, organizations and the driving force of youth-led initiatives. I come from a country committed to fostering partnerships that amplify the voices and contributions of our young people. The Zambian government is known to do the same, and I am proud of Africa CDC for also centering young people in its initiatives.

Our continent faces unique health challenges, from infectious diseases to maternal health and mental well-being. The burden of these challenges falls squarely on the shoulders of the youth. This is why we must empower the youth to be the architects of the solutions and to take charge of their health and the health of their communities.

The youth pre-conference serves as an ideal platform for dialogue, idea exchange, and cultivating relationships, networks, and knowledge. It is a testament to our shared commitment to building a healthier Africa.

Initiatives like the Bingwa Initiative, which focuses on youth engagement and empowerment, are a testament to the tireless efforts of AFRICA CDC in recognizing the importance of youth engagement in public health.

Africa CDC is intentional about harnessing the transformative power of young people and, together with the Youth Advisory Team for Health, we look forward to the impact of this partnership. Dr Kaniki and your team, I have seen your incredible passion for the work that you do and your work ethic; it is inspiring and a reminder of what young people can do when trusted with positions of authority. Young people rely on you to succeed. Thank you Dr. Kaniki for the incredible leadership you have shown.

To the young public health professionals here, I extend a call to action: your energy, creativity, and commitment are the driving forces that will propel us towards a healthier future. You do not need anyone’s permission to lead. Become advocates and provide leadership for health within your communities.

The transformative power of innovation and technology cannot be overstated. I challenge each of you to harness the tools at your disposal for creative solutions to our health challenges.

As we engage in the discussions over the next two days, I implore you to actively participate, contribute, share insights and propose actionable solutions. The Africa CDC Youth pre-conference is not just a gathering. It’s a collective endeavour to shape the public health narrative on our beloved continent.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each of you for your commitment in advancing public health in Africa. I also thank the organizers for creating a platform that centres and amplifies the voices of young people. Public health is not easy. Social, political, religious and fiscal determinants of health impact access and equity to health. There is also you, the people who understand that our health is interlinked and must be accessible and equitable for everyone. This is how we build a healthier and more resilient Africa. Thank you.

The post Africa CDC YPC2023: Keynote speech from the Guest of Honor, H.E. Mrs. Monica Geingos, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia appeared first on Africa CDC.

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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Dr. Riek spearheaded the establishment of the South Sudan National AIDS Control Program, and facilitated the development of comprehensive HIV/AIDS policies, strategies and guidelines.  Under his leadership, South Sudan established 107 voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) centers, 57 PMTCT programs, and 21 ART centers across the country, which have provided access to quality prevention, care and support services. His outstanding work on the establishment of the HIV/AIDS control program in South Sudan was documented by the most prestigious medical journal, “The Lancet”, in an article that was published June of 2011. Dr. Sten Vermund, dean of the Yale School of Public Health and a collaborator described Dr. Riek as, “a champion of his people, a man of peace, and a doctor who seeks to transform South Sudan into a modern nation of healthy and productive people”.

As Chair of the South Sudan Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM), Dr. Riek has successfully overseen the implementation of more than USD 200 million in Global Fund grants for priority health diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV / AIDS.

At global level, Dr. Riek worked as a health policy analyst at the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional office for Africa where he championed the design of a regional tool for the analysis of the WHO country office quarterly reports, and ensured their consistency with the WHO General Program of Work, African Regional Office (AFRO) strategic directions, and WHO core functions and priorities. Dr. Riek has a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Alexandria University, Egypt, and Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) from Meharry Medical College, United States of America. Dr. Riek speaks fluent Arabic, English and conversational French.

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In her speech, Her Honour Mrs. Inonge Mutukwa Wina, MP., the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, stated that while significant progress has been made in the past three years, there is need for member states to upscale and strengthen the RCC by financing, equipping and managing its programmes well in order to meet regional expectation in line with the decision of the African Union Heads of State and Government (AU HOSG).

The Regional Collaboration Centres  play a very crucial role in the decentralized administration of Africa CDC; they form the link, on public health issues, between Africa CDC and African Union in Addis Ababa and the Member States. With African Union’s 55 Member States, the RCCs help divide the continent into smaller regional units for better management and administration. Through the RCCs, Member States are brought closer to decision-making and actions as they get the opportunity to interact with Africa CDC officials at the regional level.

Southern Africa-Regional Collaborating Centre is one of the first three out of five Africa CDC RCCs to be established. Since its establishment, the RCC has supported several activities in the Southern Africa region including the establishement of technical working groups and emergency operations centres, regional training activities and meetings, laboratory networking, partnerships, development and implementation of public health emergency preparedness and response plans by Member States, cross-border surveillance, deployment of rapid responders and community health wrokers, and the Community Health Care Outcomes (ECHO) platform, which has facilitated public health learning and knowledge exhchange in the region.

This launch follows the recent appointment of a coordinator for the RCC and  will help strengthen the RCC to support more activities in the region and the operationalization of the regional advisory structures such as the Regional Steering Committee and the Regional Technical Advisory Committee. It will generate more opportunities for policy dialogue in the region and promote regional collaboration, partnerships and coordination.  

Africa CDC is a specialized technical institution 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

For further inquiries, please contact:
Dr Lul Pout Riek | Southern RCC Reginal Coordinator | Africa CDC riekl@africa-union.org

Media contact: Ezinne V.C Onwuekwe| Lusaka, Zambia | Onwuekwee@africa-union.org

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