Date of publication: 02 September 2024
(CONSULTING SERVICES– INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)
AFRICA CENTRES FOR DISEASE CONTROL SUPPORT PROGRAM TO COMBAT CURRENT AND FUTURE PUBLIC HEALTH THREATS PROJECT (P178633) – IDA-E1110
Reference number: ET-AUC-442607-CS-INDV
1. Background
In January 2017, the African Union (AU) formally launched the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) as a new, specialized technical institution of the AU. The mandate of the Africa CDC is to strengthen the capacity, capability, and partnerships of Africa’s public health institutions to prevent, detect and respond effectively and efficiently to disease threats and outbreaks based on science, policy and data-driven interventions and programmes. Africa’s fragile health system remains strained by the high burden of both infectious and non-communicable diseases which substantially accounts for Africa’s reduced success in achieving progress towards improving broader health outcomes and African Union Agenda 2063.
In April 2022, the Africa CDC five years’ strategy for NCDs & Injuries prevention and control and Mental health promotion (NCDIMH) was adopted and launched in a continental technical workshop and ministerial meeting. The Strategy is guided by the Africa CDC new public health order (NPHO) and is comprised of four guiding principles and six strategic objectives for Africa CDC action and priority interventions. Africa CDC, through its NCDIMH Strategy, aims to lay the foundation for a new public health order in Africa for firm prevention and control of NCDs, Injuries and Mental ill-health through empowered public health institutions and a grown public health workforce, stronger prioritization, procurement, and local production of health technologies as well as effective multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary partnerships.
The drivers and risk factors of NCDIMH conditions are largely determined in sectors other than health, such as agriculture, trade, education, labor, and transport amongst others. Therefore, a multisectoral approach is a key requirement to curb the burden of NCDs, injuries, and mental health conditions on the continent. As reflected in the second Africa CDC Strategic Plan (2023–2027) building on the NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health Strategy priorities, there is a strong need to align regional economic communities (RECs) and partners to establish, strengthen, and coordinate multisectoral action for NCDs, injuries, and mental health. In addition , the focus on the prevention and management of NCDIMH should be on health education, screening and early diagnosis at community and primary health care level, calling for strengthening of the community health worker program and the primary health care facility to integrate NCDIMH into the existing minimum primary health care services package. In seeking to fill the above gaps around multisectoral action for NCDIMH and promote development and implementation of integrated models of care while scaling up the implementation of the NCDs, Injuries and Mental Health Strategy, Africa CDC established and launched the first-ever African Union Taskforce on Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries, and Mental Health in November 2023. The taskforce is comprised of various relevant AU organs and through this taskforce Africa CDC will leverage its convening power as the public health agency of the African Union for high-level advocacy for multisectoral actions toward NCD prevention and control on the continent.