MEDIA ADVISORY

Launch of the African Union – Africa CDC Multi-sectoral Task Force on Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries and Mental Health (NCDI/MH)

INVITATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: Launch of the African Union – Africa CDC Multi-sectoral Task Force on Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries and Mental Health (NCDI/MH).

When: 30^th October – 1^st November 2023‎.

Where: Cape Town, South Africa.

Who: The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why:

Multi-sectoral approach is a key requirement for an effective response to curving down the NCDs, injuries and mental health conditions burden. The interconnectivity of the daily activities of human life, the impact of economic and social practices on the NCDs risk factors as well as the broad social determinants of health make an inter-sectoral approach the most effective response.

Africa CDC as mandated by the AU-MS is dedicated to support MS to reduce the burden of NCDs by strengthening the health systems and multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms at continental and national level. The Africa CDC five years’ strategy for NCDs, Injuries prevention and control and Mental health promotion adopted in April 2022 specifically the strategic objective 3, emphasizes on the strong need to align MS, regional economic communities (RECs) and partners to establish, strengthen and coordinate multi-sectoral action on NCDs, injuries and mental health. To achieve this objective, establishing an African Union/Africa CDC multi-sectoral task force to lead and coordinate action across sectors across the continent is a priority for Africa CDC.

Objectives:

1. To carry out an induction of the members of the multi-sectoral taskforce and define roles and responsibilities of each stakeholders.
2. To identify and agree areas that each institution, agency and department can contribute to NCDI/MH prevention and control as per the continental strategy on NCDI/MH.
3. To define roles and responsibilities of members and agree on the terms of reference for the multi-sectoral taskforce.

Expected outcomes:

1. The African Union/ Africa CDC Multi-sectoral taskforce on NCDI/MH established and launched with clear a well-defined roles and responsibilities.
2. A clear understanding of the social determinants of health and how different departments can play a role in their mitigation documented.
3. A performance framework (PF) for the taskforce with clear and measurable actions developed and agreed.

Participation at the event:

The Launch of the African Union – Africa CDC Multi-sectoral Task Force on Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries and Mental Health (NCDI/MH) will be attended by the AU Commission, AU Specialized institutions and agencies, WHO-AFRO, World Diabetes Foundation, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Interagency Taskforce on NCDs, African Tobacco Control Alliance, and Media Representatives.

Representatives of the media are invited to cover the event

For media inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communications Directorate | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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