Tracking progress in Africa’s health emergency response

Africa has made significant progress in strengthening its ability to detect and manage outbreaks, as reflected by Dr. Ahmed Ouma, Acting Director of Africa CDC. In a recent interview, Dr. Ouma highlighted three key areas of progress. Firstly, Africa CDC has become an autonomous health institution of the African Union, allowing for more rapid and extensive support to African countries. Secondly, capacity-building efforts have been successful at both the Africa CDC and national levels, enabling swift mobilization of resources during outbreaks. Thirdly, partnerships with global entities have enhanced technical and financial support, solidifying Africa CDC's role in the global health security architecture. Dr. Ouma emphasized that the organization's mandate extends beyond acute health emergencies to include a wide range of diseases, including non-communicable diseases and mental health. Globalization has further emphasized the importance of Africa CDC's work, as diseases like monkeypox demonstrate how regional outbreaks can quickly become global threats. As the continent's primary health response organization, Africa CDC plays a critical role in protecting not only Africa but the rest of the world. Dr. Ouma stressed the need for continued support and recognition from global partners to strengthen Africa CDC's position in the global health security framework. In addition to infectious diseases, Africa CDC is actively involved in the prevention and control of endemic diseases like TB, malaria, and HIV, as well as non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The organization's comprehensive approach to disease prevention and control underscores its commitment to addressing various health challenges on the continent. One of Africa CDC's top priorities is the mental well-being and workplace safety of healthcare workers. Recognizing the crucial role of healthcare professionals, Dr. Ouma outlined initiatives to support and protect the workforce, including developing strategies at the continental and national levels and providing targeted support to improve working conditions. By prioritizing the mental health and safety of health workers, Africa CDC aims to enhance the delivery of healthcare services and ultimately improve the health outcomes of communities across the continent. The integration of technology and innovation is also a key focus for Africa CDC in advancing healthcare accessibility and response capabilities. A digital transformation strategy is set to be launched to enhance data collection, analysis, and decision-making processes. By engaging community health workers equipped with the latest technological tools, Africa CDC aims to accelerate outbreak detection and response at the grassroots level. This shift towards community-driven healthcare interventions demonstrates Africa CDC's commitment to leveraging technology for more efficient and effective health emergency responses. As Africa continues to make strides in strengthening its health emergency response capacity, Africa CDC remains at the forefront of coordinating efforts, building partnerships, and innovating approaches to address a broad spectrum of health challenges. The organization's unwavering commitment to protecting the health of the continent and contributing to global health security underscores its pivotal role in shaping the future of public health in Africa.