The Africa CDC epidemiologists are set to participate in the 6th Africa Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) scientific conference to be held in Abuja, Nigeria from 08-12 August 2016. This meeting presents an opportunity for the Africa CDC epidemiologists to contribute to the public health community and to network with other stakeholders as they develop a common agenda to address critical public health challenges in Africa and beyond.

The conference is convened by AFENET, a member of the Africa CDC governing board member, in collaboration with the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health, and the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET)

The 6th AFENET Scientific Conference is themed ‘Enhancing Global Health Security through Field Epidemiology Training Programs’ under which several sub-themes in line with this theme have been identified for examination, such as public health surveillance, outbreak investigations and response implementation, evaluation of public health programs or surveillance activities, public health system strengthening and other areas in applied epidemiology. Interested participants have already submitted abstracts in line with these sub themes for discussion.

The Africa CDC epidemiologists’ key objectives at the conference will be to publicize the Africa CDC and promote event - base surveillance (EBS) and Emergency Management to Public Health Networks including Field epidemiology training program (FETP) in Africa, create a network with government official and other public health experts in the continent, establish background/ baseline data for future planning of Africa CDC and identify public health activities presented in the conference that are relevant to Africa CDC’s activities and plans.

The key mandate of the Africa CDC is to put in place a structure to support African Union member states in their efforts to effectively monitor public health, respond to emergencies, address complex health challenges and build needed capacity, provide a strong platform for technical coordination, ultimately strengthening public health systems, preparedness, surveillance and interventions across the continent. Further, the Africa CDC aims to build capacity on the continent to respond to public health emergencies including outbreaks, man-made and natural disasters as well as public health events of regional and international concern. FA/ wzm

Note to Editor

Assembly/AU/December 5 54 (XXIV) adopted at the 24th ordinary session of the assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2015 in which the assembly endorsed the establishment of the Africa CDC and approved that the coordination office should initially be located at the headquarters of the Africa union in Addis Ababa.

Vision of the Africa CDC - A safer, healthier, integrated and prosperous Africa, in which member states can prevent disease, detect and respond together to crises of public health importance

For media inquiries contact:

Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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