Tag: Africa CDC

As climate change continues to intensify health challenges across Africa, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has unveiled a strategic framework to help countries respond effectively to the growing threats.

The new plan, launched during a webinar on Wednesday, outlines how rising temperatures, extreme weather events, poor air quality, and shifting disease patterns, such as the spread of cholera and malaria, are already impacting millions on the continent.

Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, described climate change as “one of the biggest public health challenges of our time,” noting that between 2001 and 2021, over 56 per cent of disease outbreaks in Africa were linked to climate-related events.

“Climate change could lead to 14.5 million additional deaths, over two billion healthy life years lost, and an estimated $12.5 trillion in economic losses globally by 2050,” he said. “It is not just an environmental problem; it is a health emergency.”

The newly launched framework, he said, offers a clear roadmap for African Union Member States to build climate-resilient health systems and protect vulnerable populations through better planning, stronger collaboration, and increased investments.

According to Dr. Kaseya, the strategy is anchored on seven core principles aimed at guiding countries in their response to the health effects of climate change.

The first is the One Health Approach, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health. It encourages coordinated efforts across all three areas to prevent and manage climate-related health crises such as zoonotic diseases.

The second pillar—Partnerships and Collaboration- calls for cooperation across borders and sectors. It highlights the importance of uniting public health, agriculture, environment, and emergency services to build stronger, faster responses.

Sustained Investment is the third principle. Dr. Kaseya emphasised the need for long-term funding to strengthen infrastructure, healthcare workforce training, and climate preparedness.

Fourth, the framework supports the use of Advanced Technology and Infrastructure to monitor and respond to climate-health risks. Tools like data analytics, surveillance systems, and early warning tools are considered critical in preventing large-scale outbreaks.

Fifth, Community Engagement is seen as essential. The framework stresses that local populations, particularly those in high-risk areas, must be involved in planning and emergency response efforts.

Transparency and Accountability form the sixth guiding principle. Africa CDC is urging governments and health bodies to maintain open communication, accurate reporting, and data sharing to ensure collective responsibility and trust.

The final pillar, Equity and Inclusion, aims to ensure that vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, and people living in poverty, have equal access to healthcare and climate adaptation resources.

“This framework is more than a document. It is a continental imperative and a call to action. With the right strategies, partnerships, and investments, Africa can build a future where health systems are robust, communities are empowered, and the health impacts of climate change are effectively managed.” Dr. Kaseya said.

The launch comes at a time when African nations, including Nigeria, are increasingly dealing with the health fallout of climate events, floods, heatwaves, and food insecurity.

Reacting to the development, public health expert Dr. Gabriel Adakole described the framework as timely and useful for countries like Nigeria.

He said it offers practical steps for building resilience in the face of growing climate-induced health risks.

“This roadmap helps us prepare for climate-linked diseases, build stronger surveillance systems, and protect people in disaster-prone areas. It also promotes better coordination between sectors, improves access to funding and technical support, and ensures no community is left behind.” He said.

He stressed that by aligning with the framework, Nigeria could improve disaster preparedness and deliver more sustainable, inclusive public health responses.

The framework is part of the broader Africa CDC 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, which includes the One Health Strategy to strengthen public health systems across the continent.

With experts warning that climate-related health emergencies will worsen if left unaddressed, the Africa CDC is urging all African governments and partners to adopt the framework without delay.

In response to the call from the West African Health Organization (WAHO) for concerted efforts and partner collaboration to tackle healthcare delivery challenges in the subregion, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has donated cold chain equipment to Nigeria to support its immunization efforts.

In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Initiative, Africa CDC donated cold chain equipment valued at over $3.5 million to strengthen Nigeria’s vaccine transportation system.

The donated equipment includes 115 SDD refrigerators, 234 SDD freezers, 1,000 Fridge tags, and 778 vaccine carriers, all aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s immunization system, maintaining public health, and combating infectious diseases.

While receiving the donation in a ceremony on Friday, Muyi Aina, the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), noted that the support from Africa CDC aligns with Nigeria’s goal to have readily available life-saving vaccines and strengthened cold chain capacity.

While appreciating the important role vaccines play in disease prevention and control as well as the dedication of the Africa CDC in pushing for Africa’s, Aina disclosed that before the donation was made, a thorough assessment was conducted to identify gaps in cold chain facilities to ensure the new equipment would be allocated effectively to maximize impact.

He said: “This donation aims to enhance vaccine storage capacity and extend outreach to more communities in the country.

“We have articulated our blueprint that has three pillars, one of the pillars really focuses on building an institution that is enduring and able to really deliver on the mandate.

“Perhaps the most prominent of our pillars really focuses on making sure that we improve our primary health care delivery system so that every Nigerian or everybody who is in Nigeria, wherever you are, can have access to basic services.

“That’s a function of infrastructure. It’s a function of human resources, data systems, commodities, so, the cold chain equipment is a big part of what we are really investing in. And this really is a lift in that direction”.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, while commending Nigeria’s progress in routine immunization, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s direction following his interaction with key health officials on the country’s direction.

He said the cold chain equipment would go a long way in adding value to the nation’s efforts in its immunization drive while boosting Nigeria’s position as a leading nation in immunization and public health.

While Highlighting the necessity for partnerships in addressing global health challenges and ensuring vaccine equity for Africa, Kaseya noted that the support provided by the Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation demonstrates their commitment to strengthening healthcare systems in Africa.

On her part, Rownak Khan, the acting Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, who also commended Nigeria’s immunization drive, noted that Cold Chain Equipment is essential in preserving vaccines and maintaining temperature-sensitive medical supplies.

This, according to her would aid the sub-national governments in the provision of a comprehensive vaccination programme as the donated equipment would enable them to store a wider range of vaccines, including those requiring ultra-low temperatures