The Government of Nigeria and the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have signed the West Africa Regional Collaborating Centre (RCC) hosting agreement.
The signing ceremony took place over the weekend in Abuja, on the sidelines of the 25th ordinary meeting of the ECOWAS assembly of Health Ministers.
Director-general of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya and Nigeria’s Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate formalised the agreement.
Kaseya emphasised that this collaboration signifies a significant milestone in the mission to enhance health security across the African continent.
He stated that the agreement is a crucial step towards realising an ‘Africa CDC without walls.
Kaseya highlighted the strategic importance of RCCs in decentralising health support and resources across Africa, thereby making health interventions more accessible and efficient.
He emphasised that the establishment of the West Africa RCC demonstrates proactive leadership and Nigeria’s dedication to regional health.
“The RCCs are intended to support Africa CDC’s strategic work plan, enhancing health security where it is most needed,” he mentioned.
Pate noted that Nigeria’s hosting of the RCC underscores its commitment to strengthening continental health frameworks and responding effectively to health emergencies.
He viewed this as a vital opportunity to improve the region’s health outcomes.
The minister expressed that this collaborative endeavour aims to bring Africa CDC’s vision of a continent protected from health threats closer to reality.
Today’s signing was facilitated through discussions Africa CDC had with Pate during their brief visit to Nigeria in October 2023, as reported by Science Nigeria.
The need to establish Africa CDC was initially emphasised in January 2014 at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Assembly/AU/Dec.499(XXII)).
The establishment of Africa CDC was endorsed at the 24th Ordinary Session in January 2015 (Assembly/AU/Dec.554(XXIV)), with a call for practical modalities for its operationalization.
The RCCs of Africa CDC will facilitate the implementation of its strategic work plan, ultimately realising an “Africa CDC without walls” that supports the continent at the point of need, rather than from a centralized, distant location.
Nigeria’s hosting of the RCC underscores its commitment to strengthening continental health frameworks and responding effectively to health emergencies.
This collaborative effort aims to bring Africa CDC’s vision of a continent protected from health threats closer to reality.
The Regional Coordinating Centre will focus on five key areas outlined by Africa CDC include enhancing disease surveillance and early warning systems, building resilient health systems, promoting research and innovation, strengthening regional collaboration and coordination and community engagement and health promotion.
By focusing on these areas, Africa CDC aims to safeguard health, strengthen health systems and contribute to the overall development and prosperity of Nigeria, West Africa and the continent.
