Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

Africa CDC director John Nkengasong in Kampala, 2016

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is a specialized technical institution of the African Union that serves as a platform for African countries to strengthen their public health institutions' capabilities. It aims to improve the continent's ability to detect, prevent, control, and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats. The Africa CDC was officially launched in January 2017, following the endorsement of the establishment by the African Union Assembly in 2013, in response to the increasing threats of infectious diseases, including the significant impact of the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa.

Mission and Objectives

The primary mission of the Africa CDC is to strengthen Africa's public health institutions' capabilities to detect and respond to disease outbreaks and pandemics. This includes improving surveillance, emergency response, and prevention strategies across the continent. The objectives of the Africa CDC are to:

• Enhance the capacity of African countries in disease surveillance, emergency response, and prevention.
• Provide accurate and timely information on disease outbreaks and health emergencies in Africa.
• Support public health initiatives that contribute to the control of epidemics and other public health emergencies.
• Promote partnerships and collaboration among member states to improve health outcomes.

Structure and Governance

The Africa CDC operates under the guidance of the African Union and is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is governed by a Governing Board composed of representatives from member states, and its day-to-day activities are managed by a Director. The institution also has Regional Collaborating Centres (RCCs) located in various parts of Africa, which are crucial for implementing its activities at the regional level.

Programs and Initiatives

Africa CDC has launched several programs and initiatives aimed at improving public health across the continent. These include:

• The Pathogen Genomics Initiative, which aims to enhance disease surveillance and outbreak response through genomics and bioinformatics.
• The Africa Health Volunteer Corps, which mobilizes health professionals across the continent to respond to public health emergencies.
• The Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance Network, which addresses the growing threat of AMR through enhanced surveillance and capacity building.

Response to COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Africa CDC played a pivotal role in coordinating the continent's response. This included the establishment of the Africa Task Force for Coronavirus (AFTCOR), which focused on key areas such as surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, clinical management of cases, and infection prevention and control. The Africa CDC also facilitated the procurement and distribution of critical medical supplies and supported member states in their vaccination efforts.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its achievements, the Africa CDC faces several challenges, including limited resources, the vast and diverse nature of the African continent, and the need for stronger health systems. Going forward, the Africa CDC aims to continue building its capacity and strengthening partnerships to better address current and future health challenges in Africa.