The World Health Organization Regional Director for the Africa Region, Dr Matshidiso Moeti congratulates Dr John Nkengasong on his appointment as the first director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC).

“I wish to warmly congratulate John for being selected to this important position to head Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Addis Abeba, and I very much look forward to working with him to strengthen health systems in our Region and rapidly accelerate disease outbreak prevention, detection and control, and response capabilities to public health risks threatening the Continent,” Dr Moeti said

Earlier this year, WHO launched a new global Health Emergencies Programme, aimed at reforming the way we support countries prepare for, respond to and recover from public health crises. And in August, the African Region set forth an ambitious Regional Strategy for Health Security and Emergencies – strongly underpinned by the One Health approach.

The AU Commission and WHO have signed a framework for collaboration on the implementation of the Africa CDC to guide the two institutions’ joint support to Member States.

“John’s leadership in public health emergency preparedness and response is undeniable, and WHO AFRO is committed to working alongside him and his team towards furthering the International health Regulations (2005) and  to ensure health security for  all Africans,” Dr Moeti added.

Prof. Shaheen Mehtar ICAN chairperson welcomed the establishment of an African Union CDC  that will highlight communicable diseases, infectious diseases including antimicrobial resistant pathogens and outbreaks occurring on the African continent. Prof Mehtar went on to say she hoped the pivotal role of infection prevention in the containment of these disease will be recognised including the major role of ICAN in education and networking in the region. Surveillance should be prioritised so that infection can be measured, predicted and possibly prevented.