Government of Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Hailemariam Calls for an African Center for Disease Control

16 July 2013

In his opening speech to the African Union Special Summit of Heads of State and Government, held under the theme, "Ownership, Accountability and Sustainability of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Response in Africa: Past, Present and the Future", in Abuja, Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam, Chairperson of the African Union, also called for the establishment of an "African Center for Disease Control and Prevention".

The Prime Minister said he believed Africa needed to build up a vast reservoir of knowledge to better understand the challenges posed by these and other diseases and help it to respond as required. To make this a reality, he said, Ethiopia proposed the establishment of an African Centre for Disease Control (African CDC), or Health Commission for Africa, under the umbrella of the African Union.

The establishment of such a Center would, he said, certainly go a long way in helping Africa to generate much needed information and research, taking into consideration some of the unique health problems posed across the continent. It would also reduce Africa's over-dependence on foreign CDCs. The proposal has been considered by the African Union Executive Council and, as indicated in the Declaration of the Summit, an agreement has been reached to work on the modalities.

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  • Indagano
    Jul 17 2013, 09:59
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    Good thinking. That the continent needs this is an understatement. Furthermore, it'd be a very good thing if this idea is extended to all other fields.

  • foryohjonathan0000
    Jul 19 2013, 10:57
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    ABSOLUTELY GOOD THINKING; it's very patriot and mervelous to see not only patriotic africans but african leaders thinking beyond the greater future for all africans, at home and the diaspora. We hope there will be more great thinking about the advancement, progressiveness, development, and well being of africa and the children of Africa.