RWANDA – The 2nd International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2022) will be held in Kigali, Rwanda for African leaders, researchers, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss COVID-19 response and recovery across the continent.
The annual international conference organized by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be marked under the theme “Preparedness for future Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Recovery: Africa at a Crossroad.”
The event, which will take place from 13th – 15th December 2022, presents an opportunity for African health leaders to share scientific findings and public health perspectives as well as collaborate on research, innovation and public health across the continent.
CPHIA 2022 will also address how African health systems have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the interventions required to get various continental health programs back on track since the widespread virus has had direct and indirect impacts on African health systems.
“COVID-19 has threatened the control of major high-burden diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria as well as the prevention of maternal and child mortality and various health screening programs,” says Africa CDC Director Dr. John Nkengasong.
Dr Nkengasong further said that COVID-19 has created a historic opportunity to build a new public health order that makes health for all a reality across the continent including build health systems and manufacturing capacities to effectively respond to multiple health threats.
Moreover, the second summit is in line with Africa CDC’s mission to support Africa’s public health institutions’ capacities, capabilities and partnerships to prevent, detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats based on science, evidence-based policy and data-driven interventions.
It will further build on the first edition, CPHIA 2021, which focused on the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine, the strengthening of health systems and the lessons learned from the fight against COVID-19.
Africa CDC revealed that the inaugural conference brought together over 12 000 public health stakeholders from across Africa and the world to share scientific findings, collaborate on research and implementation and chart a shared course towards a more secure future for Africa.
“From the seven scientific plenaries, eleven parallel sessions and eight abstract-driven sessions, there was an overwhelming consensus that it is time for change. Africa needs to unite and put in place the necessary systems for it to safeguard the health of its people,” reports the public health agency.
Professor Agnes Binagwaho, CPHIA 2022 Co-Chair and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity, noted that the conference will provide a forum to review lessons learned from COVID-19 and to shape more resilient health systems that can effectively respond to future crises.
Additionally, the Africa CDC’s annual conference provides a unique platform that capitalizes on the knowledge, experience and ambition of Africans to collectively pave the way for a healthier future for all.
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