African Union Common Position | Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries and Mental Health

Multi-Sectoral Engagement, Coordination and Action towards Burden Reduction

Title

African Union Common Position on Multisectoral Engagement, Coordination and Action (MECA) for Control and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries, and Mental Health Conditions and Risk Factors.

Legislation Background

As protected in Article 2.1 of the Statute of the Africa CDC, the Africa CDC has been established as an autonomous health institution of the African Union (AU) charged with mandate to prevent and control diseases in Africa.1 Founded in January 2016 by the 26th Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government Decision AU/Dec.499 (XXII) and officially launched in 2017, Africa CDC enhances Member States’ capability to detect, prevent, and respond rapidly to disease threats and outbreaks using science-based, and policy-driven strategies.
As enshrined in Article 3 of the Statute of the Africa CDC, the Africa CDC is mandated to support Member States in “promotion and disease prevention through health systems strengthening, by addressing communicable and non-communicable diseases, environmental health and Neglected Tropical Diseases”.

Rationale for Effective Multisectoral Engagement, Coordination and Action (MECA)

In alignment with this continental strategic commitment, and as articulated in the recommendations of the Africa Union-Africa CDC Multisector Taskforce meetings held in Cape Town, South Africa (November 2023) and Nairobi, Kenya (November 2024), the Africa Union has developed this Common Position on MECA to guide Member States in addressing complex health challenges due to the growing burden of uncontrolled Non-communicable Disease, Injuries and Mental Health (NCDIMH).