TUNISIA – The first International Conference on Public Health in Africa organized by Africa CDC focused on the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine, the strengthening of health systems and the lessons learned from the fight against COVID-19 is set to take place in Tunisia.
Tunisia, like its African neighbors, has faced a significant number of COVID-19 cases and limited access to vaccines. The pandemic has heightened the urgency to advance innovation and build resilient health systems capable of dealing with multiple health threats simultaneously.
“If Africa works in unity, we can strengthen health systems and manufacturing capacities to respond effectively to multiple health threats,” said Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
With 7 million infections and nearly 175,000 lives lost across the African continent, the impact of COVID-19 has already been severe, leading to economic and social disruption that has threatened more lives and livelihoods, putting years of human development progress in danger.
Professor Nissaf Ben Alaya, member of the CPHIA organizing committee and Director of the National Observatory for New and Emerging Diseases (ONMNE) in Tunisia, said the last 18 months have been filled with uncertainties and difficulties in Tunisia, as in the rest of the African continent.
“We have always had a common past and our future is also closely linked. It is time to build together a healthier and more equitable future for all Africans. We need African leadership and solutions directed towards universal health coverage for all,” he added.
CPHIA will include panels, plenary sessions and participatory sessions with a particular emphasis on building the skills of professionals at the start of their careers.
“I call on all my young colleagues to register for this conference in order to benefit from the know-how of the scientific luminaries who will participate in this conference,” added Prof. Nissaf Ben Alaya.
Africa has a historic opportunity to build a new public health order that makes health for all a reality across the continent, according to Africa CDC Director, Dr Nkengasong.
The virtual CPHIA, which will take place from December 14-16, 2021, will provide a unique platform for African researchers, policy makers and stakeholders from across the globe to share perspectives and research findings in public health.
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