Digitizing public health genomics in Africa
Genome sequencing has brought about a revolutionary change in how we identify, investigate, and understand infectious disease outbreaks. To bolster genomics capacity-building, the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI) has been actively supporting National Public Health Institutions (NPHIs) and National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) across the continent. Currently, these institutions are routinely conducting genome sequencing of […]
Why strengthening mortality surveillance for epidemic preparedness and response is critical to Africa’s health security
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that mortality monitoring is not just a statistical exercise; but a cornerstone of public health, a compass guiding us towards healthier communities, and a tool that empowers public health decision-making processes. Currently, Africa is home to almost 20% of the world’s population but suffers a high mortality burden. An estimated […]
Highlights from the Partnership for African Vaccine Manufacturing
The full operationalization of the African Union Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) to achieve the objective of manufacturing 60% of the vaccines need by 2040 involves training of qualified workforce. A fully functioning manufacturing ecosystem in the continent will require about 12,500 Full Time Employees (FTEs), compared to about 2,000FTEs currently available. To address […]
Africa CDC launches the Africa PGI 2.0 flagship initiative
In November 2023, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) lauched the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI 2.0) on the sidelines of CPHIA in Lusaka, Zambia. The launch was officiated by H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC and Dr Moeti Matshidiso, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for […]
Mental Health, A Universal Human Right for Africans
What is mental health? According to WHO [i]Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and well-being that underpins our individual and collective abilities to […]
What will it take to develop a sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem in Africa?
A study of Africa’s current and planned vaccine manufacturing capacity offers insights into how to target investments and development efforts to promote long-term success. Africa is largely reliant on other regions of the world for lifesaving vaccines. Currently, only one percent of the vaccines administered in Africa are produced locally; the remaining 99 percent are […]
World Rabies Day 2023 Campaign: “All for 1 One Health for All”
What is Rabies? According to the US CDC, rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease. It can spread to people and pets if they are bitten or scratched by a rabid animal. In the United States, rabies is mostly found in wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. However, in many other countries […]
Journée Mondiale de l’hygiène des mains 2023: Le pouvoir du contrôle des infections est entre nos mains
L’hygiène des mains est une méthode de nettoyage des mains qui minimise considérablement la présence d’éventuels agents pathogènes (germes nocifs) sur les mains. L’hygiène des mains est une méthode de base mais efficace pour prévenir les infections à la fois dans les établissements des soins de santé et dans la communauté. De plus, la recherche […]