The African Union has established a body to detect, manage and to better respond to public health emergencies like the Ebola virus.
Today, we launch the first ever Africa Center for Disease Control Center and Prevention @AfricaCDC
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) will monitor health threats and manage responses.
The body will collaborate with international health institutions to share information and improve surveillance of public health threats.
The ACDC will set up several regional centres:
#Kenya #Zambia #Egypt #Gabon & #Nigeria were selected to host @AfricaCDC Regional Collaborating Centers @MedicalBriefZA @CDCGlobal
Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the head of the World Health Organization in Africa, told the BBC's Newsday programme this morning that the initiative would help the continent better respond to public health emergencies.
But she warned that African countries would still have to invest in their health care system to ensure they were better prepared to stop communicable diseases from spreading.
"The art of living consists of knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore." -- Mardy Grothe