INVITATION TO AFRICA CDC PUBLIC HEALTH GRAND ROUNDS

Journalists are invited to cover the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)

Public Health Grand Rounds holding at the African Union Commission Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The topic of discussion for this first in the series is: “Infectious Disease Threats and African Continental Free Trade Agreement”.

What: Africa CDC Public Health Grand Rounds

Date: Thursday, 17 October 2019

Time: 11.30 am

Where: Small Conference Hall 4, New Conference Centre, African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa

Why: Africa’s integration into one common market offers tremendous economic growth potential, and strong public health care systems are essential for advancing this agenda. Participants will discuss how to ensure a health-secure Africa to support the continental agenda of the African Union.

Who: Jointly organized by Africa CDC, the Department of Social Affairs and the Directorate of Medical Services under the patronage of the Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission and the Commissioner for Social Affairs

Objectives: Raise awareness about the roles, responsibilities and actions of the African Union and its Member States in accelerating implementation of the International Health Regulation, and promote partnerships between the African Union Commission organs, African Union Member States and partners to strengthen public health programmes and institutions in Africa.

Discussants:

- Dr John Nkengasong, Director, Africa CDC, AUC

- Dr Yankuba Kassama, Director, Medical Services, AUC

- Mr Hussein Hassan, Acting Director, Trade and Industry, AUC

- Dr Stephen Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, UNECA

Public health in Africa is improving rapidly, but disease threats remain a big risk. Safeguarding Africa’s health against the disease threats is imperative particularly with the implementation of the African Union Free Trade, Open Sky and Free Movement of People and Goods agendas. This seminar will discuss how Africa can tailor its public health systems to support safe operation of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and other economic agreements. It provides a unique opportunity for multisectoral discussions by experts from the public health, diplomatic, academic, research, private, and development sectors on how to bridge the gaps in public health in Africa vis-à-vis the continental and global development agendas.

Media contact:

Esther Azaa Tankou, Head, Information Division, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission, Tel: +251(0) 911361185, E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

About the Africa CDC

Africa CDC strengthens the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programmes. Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org

About the African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens.

AU Vision: To accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission.