Kenya’s MoH hosts 11th Ordinary Session of Africa CDC governing board

KENYA— The 11^th Ordinary Session of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) governing board, has just concluded in Nairobi, Kenya.

The session was co-hosted alongside the Africa CDC’s Advisory and Technical Council (ATC) 6^th Ordinary Session to address enhancing disease prevention and control measures in Africa.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Nakhumicha S. Wafula highlighted Kenya’s commitment to the Africa CDC’s mission.

Particularly, the capacity of the body to strengthen the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions in detecting and responding swiftly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks.

“The hosting of two crucial meetings demonstrates Kenya’s pivotal role in advancing public health initiatives across the continent,” the CS said during the opening of the session. 

This aligns with the commitment of His Excellency Dr. William Ruto, who has accepted the role of Africa CDC Champion for Local Vaccine Manufacturing in line with the African Union’s Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing Framework.

Underlining Kenya’s position as a regional hub for health and innovation, the nation also acknowledges its responsibility as the host of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Centre on behalf of 14 African Union Member States in the Eastern Africa Region.

Kenya is deeply committed to leveraging this opportunity to enhance collaboration, coordination, and communication among countries in the Eastern region and beyond.

Empowering African Public Health through a Revamped ATC

The 11^th Ordinary session primarily reinforced its decision to restructure the Advisory and Technical Council to strengthen continent-wide disease control.

This strategic restructuring is a direct response to the African Union’s decision at its 35th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2022.

This transformation represents a shift towards stronger leadership and ownership by the Member States, their Heads of State, and governments.

ATC is primarily tasked to provide technical and consultative support to Africa CDC on matters such as emerging diseases, surveillance, resource mobilization, science, research, and strategy.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, warmly welcomed all members of the newly formed ATC at the opening of the session.

The Director General also expressed gratitude to the outgoing ATC for their exceptional technical guidance, particularly during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Kaseya emphasized the significance of the ATC’s advice and guidance, especially in implementing and assessing the strategic plan, in realizing the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063.

The restructured ATC comprises 20 diverse members, including representatives from Member States, National Public Health Institutes, the Regional Integrated Surveillance and Laboratory Network (RISLNET), African Health Networks, World Health Organisation (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

During the session, Dr. Anne Marie Ambourhouet-Bigmann, the outgoing Chair of the Africa ATC, presented the ATC report.

Dr. Ambourhouet-Bigmann highlighted the accomplishments of the ATC and shared important dates and milestones.

Throughout its tenure, the ATC held five ordinary meetings and provided strategic recommendations to the Governing Board and Secretariat of Africa CDC.

The report detailed the outcomes of these meetings, including achievements, challenges, and recommendations for the incoming council.

The discussions covered the operationalization of Africa CDC, the implementation of a five-year strategic plan, resource mobilization, partnerships, data utilization, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report also highlighted the ATC’s impact in addressing various emerging diseases, such as Marburg, Ebola, Yellow Fever, Cholera, Dengue, and COVID-19.

The committee offered advice and technical expertise on vaccine acquisition, local manufacturing initiatives, and `genomic sequencing capacities.

The newly elected ATC members serve a non-renewable term of three years and will provide crucial advice to Africa CDC on a wide range of issues, including emerging concerns, strategic planning, resource mobilization, disease surveillance and detection, and scientific endeavors.

The 6th Ordinary Session successfully facilitated a smooth transition from the outgoing to the new ATC, adopted the draft rules and procedures of the ATC, and elected Dr. Eduardo Samo Gudo as the Chair and Dr. Morenike Oguan Alex-Okoh as the Vice Chair.

As the new ATC commences its term, it is well-positioned to provide essential technical advice and champion the strategic plans and activities of Africa CDC, reflecting its strengthened status and expanded operational mandate.

In his address to the meeting, the newly elected Chairperson of the ATC emphasized that the council consists of scientists, not politicians, whose focus is to provide evidence-based guidance to the Director General.

This contribution should be recognized as a significant effort toward improving public health in the continent.

Dr. Kaseya welcomed the new ATC team, “I take immense pride in witnessing this leadership transition. Dr. Gudo, your remarkable expertise in Immunology and Virology and your invaluable contributions to medicine and public health in Mozambique make you an outstanding candidate for this esteemed role.”

Dr. Kaseya also recognized, Dr. Alex-Okoh, exemplary leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 response in Nigeria which showcased her unwavering commitment to public health.

Dr. Kaseya took a moment to appreciate the outgoing ATC team led by Dr. Ambourhouet-Bigmann and Prof. Roma Chilengi for their exceptional leadership in guiding the ATC over the past three years.

“Congratulations once again on your well-deserved appointments. We eagerly look forward to your exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to fostering a healthier Africa,” Dr. Kaseya’s speech at the session concluded.

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