STORY: Africa CDC pledges speedy response to outbreak of infectious diseases
DATELINE: July 17, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:45
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: HEALTH/MEDICINE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the press conference
2. various of CDC officials
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JEAN KASEYA, Director-general of Africa CDC
4. various of press conference

STORYLINE:

Swift response to emerging infectious diseases has been prioritized by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) as part of efforts to enhance the resilience of the continent's public health systems, a senior official said Sunday.

Jean Kaseya, the director-general of Africa CDC, said that a robust, adequately resourced, timely and well-coordinated response to the continent's public health emergencies including disease outbreaks is an imperative.

Speaking on the sidelines of the mid-year coordination summit of the African Union held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, Kaseya stressed that taming Africa's high disease burden is key to realizing growth and prosperity.

Based on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa CDC is helping countries develop contingency plans in readiness for future disease outbreaks to avert mass fatalities and strain on public health facilities, Kaseya said.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JEAN KASEYA, Director-general of Africa CDC
"(The first one is) strengthening the integrated health systems in Africa. The second one is to build a proactive intelligent gathering and early warning system in Africa. The third one is to ensure robust early emergency preparedness and response capabilities for all public health emergencies in Africa. The fourth one is to strengthen the regional and national organizations like the national public and health institutions. The fifth one is to extend the clinical laboratory systems and networks. And the last one is to expand the local manufacturing of vaccines to rapid kits and diagnostics."

In addition, said Kaseya, the Africa CDC is also partnering with regional blocs to strengthen research, surveillance, reporting, and monitoring of infectious diseases like Ebola, Marburg virus, Rift Valley Fever, and Malaria.

He added that improving local manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics and protective gear will also strengthen the capacity of African countries to respond to health emergencies.

As an autonomous continental public health agency of the African Union, the Africa CDC supports member states to strengthen the resilience of their public health systems through surveillance, emergency response and control of diseases.

Kaseya said that targeted funding, policy reforms, partnerships, collaborative research and public awareness are key to revitalizing action on disease outbreaks in the continent.

Governments of African countries should increase budgetary support for health while tapping into digital tools in a bid to improve disease surveillance, diagnosis and treatment, he added. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)