Africa CDC recognizes the power of technology in improving healthcare outcomes, especially in low and middle-income countries. With the increasing penetration of mobile phones and other digital technologies in Africa, there is a unique opportunity to harness this potential and improve health outcomes for all Africans.
“The digital transformation strategy represents a critical milestone in our mission to improve public health in Africa. As Africa CDC spearheads the implementation of the New Africa Public Health Order, we are committed to leveraging technology to strengthen our response to public health emergencies and to build resilient health systems across the continent.”, said Dr Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Deputy Director General of Africa CDC.
Launched on March 6th, 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, the digital transformation strategy has two main strategic objectives: making Africa CDC an informatics-savvy institution and positioning Africa CDC to support African Union’s Member States in strengthening their public health systems. To achieve these goals, Africa CDC has developed 10 flagship initiatives, ranging from connecting all Africa’s health facilities, to promoting homegrown HealthTech innovation and including more women in the fast-growing digital health sector.
“Africa’s growing digital native population combined with increased penetration of digital technologies and literacy present a historic opportunity to rethink how health interventions are designed and delivered. We believe that the combined expertise and resources from Member States, the African Union, Development Partners, and local digital health ecosystems are enough to usher a digital health revolution with an impact that is comparable to how mobile payments revolutionized financial inclusion,” stated Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Africa CDC’s Chief Digital Advisor.
The digital transformation seeks to achieve 10 key benefits, including accessibility, quality, affordability, equity, capacity, opportunity, capabilities, efficiency, accountability, and scalability. Flagship initiatives include HealthConnekt Africa to connect all health facilities and community health workers, a Public Health Informatics Fellowship, an annual HealthTech Summit, a Digital Innovation and Data Sandbox, and an initiative to fast track the digitization of primary health care and strengthen integrated disease surveillance and response.
The implementation of the strategy is currently led by eminent experts in digital health policy and strategy, data analytics, systems, business, and product engineering, organized in a Digital Delivery and Innovation Team as well as a Project Management Officer who supports Member States as they domesticate the flagship initiatives.
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For more information on Africa CDC’s Digital Transformation Strategy, please visit: https://africacdc.org/download/digital-transformation-strategy/
About the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)
Africa CDC is the autonomous continental health agency of the African Union that strengthens the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions as well as partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks, based on data-driven interventions and programs. For more information, please visit: http://www.africacdc.org
About the African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities, and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous, and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient, and responsive Commission. Learn more at: https://au.int/en/
For more information, please contact:
Jean Philbert Nsengimana,
Chief Digital Advisor | Africa CDC
Email: nsengimanaj@africa-union.org
Media Contacts: Ms. Liliane Bilogho Ndong Nang | Technical Officer for RCCE | Africa CDC | Email: NangL@africa-union.org
