African leaders elevate AfricaCDC to autonomous health agency of AU
John Nkengasong, Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gives a press conference at the Africa Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 06, 2021. PHOTO | AFP
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What you need to know:
At the ongoing 35th ordinary session of the assembly of heads of state and government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the agency was given full powers to operate autonomously.
It will be funded by the AU as an independent entity and the position of director will be upgraded to that of director-general who will be equitable to a Commissioner.
AfricaCDC is a specialised technical institution of the AU established to offer coordinated support to public health initiatives of member states and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions to detect, prevent, control, and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats.
