The workshop that took place in Kigali, drew key experts and technical leads from the public health institute in Rwanda. Training of Centre of Excellence is Africa CDC’s flagship project that seeks to identify and build the capacity of selected National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) across Africa, enhancing their abilities to detect, prepare for, and respond to public health threats.
Co-facilitated by Sam Nakope, Technical Officer for the Africa CDC Eastern Region, along with his colleagues, the workshop outlined a strategic framework to bolster collaboration between Africa CDC and the NPHI Centers of Excellence. This partnership is expected to strengthen public health systems and improve health outcomes across the continent.
The Centers of Excellence will focus on several critical areas:
- Support and Guidance: Aid NPHIs in managing organizational changes and standardizing processes.
- Training and Capacity Building: Provide diverse training programs, assessments, and certifications.
- Data Management: Enhance data management practices and establish data management centers.
- Emergency Preparedness: Improve preparedness and response strategies for emergencies.
- Research Capacity: Develop regional research capabilities.
Dr. Albert Tuyishime, Head of the Institute of HIV/AIDS Disease Prevention and Control (IHDPC) at RBC, expressed unwavering commitment to strengthening the relationship with Africa CDC. Speaking on behalf of the RBC Director General, Dr. Tuyishime reiterated their commitment to ride on technical and financial support from Africa CDC to make Rwanda realize their aspirations of a strong National Public Health Institute that serves as Centre of Excellence in the region.
“This planning phase is crucial for our success,” Dr. Tuyishime added. “We understand the honor and responsibility of being selected among other African nations, and we are committed to delivering on the capabilities we have acquired.”
Africa CDC plays a vital role in enhancing the capacity of Africa’s public health institutions and fostering partnerships to respond swiftly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks through data-driven interventions and programs.
In 2022, Africa CDC conducted a comprehensive desk review to assess the landscape of NPHIs across the continent. The review found that out of 55 Member States, 19 (35%) had established NPHIs, 21 (38%) were in the process of establishing them, and 15 (27%) had neither established nor planned for NPHIs. Countries with fully established NPHIs include Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. While these institutions have made notable progress, there are areas for improvement in core competencies. To address these gaps, Africa CDC plans to establish Regional Centre of Excellence (CoEs) to enhance national capacities for early detection and response to public health threats. The CoEs will concentrate on corporate governance, health information systems, emergency response, workforce development, and public health research.
