Africa CDC: we urgently need more emergency health operation centres

The rise of public health emergencies and recurrent epidemics in Africa, including COVID-19, are creating health and socio-economic concerns. That was the discussion in Lusaka, Zambia recently at the fourth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU) and the Regional Economic Communities.

African leaders talked about how Public Health Emergency Operations Centres (PHEOCs) can help provide critical life-saving data, information and resources to prepare and respond to public health emergencies. 

The Africa CDC Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, together with the African Union, released a statement urging “African Union Member States and partners to recognize and prioritize PHEOCs as an important pillar in health emergency preparedness and response.”

With the help of all AU Member States, African Union Commission, Africa CDC and all partners and global leaders they hope to have one well-functioning centre in 90 percent of African countries by 2026, which will improve the continent’s response to health concerns, reports Devex.

At Children Believe, we help children, families and communities access essential healthcare so they can thrive. We build health centres and provide health supplies to help fill the gaps of what local governments can provide. Most recently, we celebrated the success of a new maternity ward in an Ethiopian health centre (pictured, above).

Help provide essential healthcare in Africa by sponsoring a child today.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance:

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.