SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA: EVALUATING AND BUILDING RESILIENT HEALTH IN AFRICA WITH THE AFRICA CENTRES FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (AFRICA CDC)

Opening Statement by

H. E. Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa

Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission

Date: 1 March 2022

Time: 14:00 – 18:00

• Honorable Ministers of Health
• Senior Government Officials,
• Health Partners,
• Africa CDC Leadership,
• Distinguished invited Guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen

Welcome to the Spotlight on Africa, African Union events series, focusing on evaluating and building resilient health systems in Africa. I am very pleased to join you all today and would like to extend my sincere gratitude for availing yourselves to attend.

     I would like to start by congratulating Africa CDC on their fifth-year anniversary. Anniversaries are opportunities to recall our journey, evaluate lessons learnt and cherish our achievements. It’s a matter of great pride to see Africa CDC flourish, instituting a strong culture of innovation, stewardship and leadership achieving more than anyone thought and expected of such a young organization. I can confidently say, Africa CDC has become the principal public health agency to the fight against infectious diseases in Africa.

    Building strong and resilient health systems, and healthy populations, are critical to achieving the AU Agenda 2063 and transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future, as envisioned by our Heads of State and Government. Thus, it should not come as a surprise that we need more than ever to think holistically if we are to achieve these ambitious goals. Instituting productive and resilient partnerships is critical not only to the future success of Africa CDC but also to solving the significant public health challenges of our time. We keep counting on all of you as we aim to continue delivering on our vision of improving health on the continent.

      In the world of epidemics and pandemics, unpredictability will continue to rule. We must keep on being vigilant and prepare adequately through building health systems of our Member States. I would like to encourage Africa CDC to continue to play the leadership role in improving health systems and outcomes across the continent as well as sustain the strong progress made in managing the unprecedented COVID-19 Pandemic.

Finally, I would like to thank you again for your participation and I wish you fruitful deliberations.