Africa CDC launches new strategic plan for infectious disease control, prevention

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a new strategic plan last week to improve the prevention, surveillance, and emergency response to infectious diseases on the continent.

Prior to its approval, the plan was reviewed by Africa CDC experts, the advisory and technical council, and was subsequently endorsed by its governing board.

“The strategy provides a clear roadmap for the Africa CDC to deliver on its key mandate to provide timely, actionable, and continent-wide surveillance and disease intelligence data; rapid deployment of coordination and technical expertise to respond to outbreaks, health diplomacy and seamless and well-coordinated regional laboratory and surveillance networks across countries,” Africa CDC Director Dr. John Nkengasong said.

The Africa CDC will now establish five regional centers to surveil event-based priority pathogens and strengthen existing surveillance and laboratory networks. It will also launch a rapid response team with the Africa Health Volunteer Corps to address various health threats.

The organization will also define protocols for outbreak declaration and response, define a system to organize national surveillance data, and work towards uniforms health information standards throughout the continent. It will also work to establish emergency operations centers in each nation.

The Africa CDC will also be working with member countries to increase workforce competency and quality assurance by collaborating with clinical and public health laboratory networks.