BACKGROUND

Taking into account the health challenges faced by the African continent and in recognition of the need for Africa to develop optimal capacity for preparedness and response to public health emergencies and other health security risks, African heads of State and Government (AU HoSG) at a special summit of the Africa Union (AU) held in Abuja, Nigeria 2013, called for the establishment of the Africa Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC). The AU HoSG endorsed the establishment of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) through Assembly Decision /AU/Dec.554 (XXIV). This specialised organ was officially launched on 31st January 2017 the overall mission being to “strengthen Africa’s capacity and institutions for preparedness and response to public health emergencies and disease priorities through partnerships, science, policy and data-driven interventions”.

At the world Health Assembly (WHA) side meeting on the Africa CDC that was held in Geneva on 16 May 2015, it was strongly recommended that WHO and the AUC define clear mechanism for collaboration in order to ensure necessary synergies between the WHO and the Africa CDC and to avoid duplication. Article 27 of the statute for Africa CDC explicitly states “The commission shall pursue closer collaboration with the WHO on the operationalization of the Africa CDC. The Africa CDC shall establish clear procedures for cooperation with WHO in accordance with established procedure of the commission. The Africa CDC and WHO shall develop a clear framework for collaboration to avoid overlap in their support to Member States to fulfil the objectives on disease control and prevention as well as implementation of the Africa CDC’s strategies” a framework for collaboration between Africa CDC and WHO was formally signed by the AUC in August 2016. The framework outlines key and strategic areas for coordination: enhanced capacity for the International Health Regulations (IHR); improved surveillance (event-based and integrated disease surveillance); development and dissemination of information products for decision making, including health situation and risk analysis; investigation and emergency response, including surge capacity and stockpiles; and management of public health events .It is anticipated that through this inclusive approach, the goal of a strengthened capacity for prevention, timely detection, preparedness and response to events and pathogens of public health significance in Africa will be achieved and therefore the need to now operationalize the framework of collaboration.