Africa CDC, Partners Launch Roadmap to Bolster Central Africa’s Health Security

Dr. Peggy Raymonde Conjugo-Batoma, Head of Health at the ECCAS Commission, highlighted the role of interoperability and joint resource mobilization in ensuring the sustainability of health systems.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Addis Ababa | Updated: 22-07-2025 23:14 IST | Created: 22-07-2025 23:14 IST
Africa CDC, Partners Launch Roadmap to Bolster Central Africa’s Health Security
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In a milestone move to fortify health systems and enhance emergency preparedness in Central Africa, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)—through its Regional Coordinating Centre for Central Africa (CA RCC)—has concluded a landmark strategic planning workshop in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Held from June 16 to 18, 2025, the gathering culminated in the adoption of a joint roadmap for 2026–2027, laying the groundwork for a robust, collaborative approach to health security across the region.

The workshop convened technical and institutional representatives from leading regional bodies, including the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and the Organisation for Coordination in the Fight Against Endemic Diseases in Central Africa (OCEAC) of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), alongside health experts and national decision-makers.

Confronting Cross-Border Health Threats

Central Africa, like much of the continent, continues to grapple with the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, often triggered or exacerbated by cross-border mobility, fragile health systems, conflict, and climate-linked vulnerabilities. The recurrence of public health emergencies—ranging from Ebola and cholera to COVID-19—has revealed the urgent need for regional solidarity and proactive action.

“This joint planning process is much more than a technical exercise. It is a key moment to strengthen our regional public health architecture, foster the interoperability of our alert systems, promote data sharing and expertise, and facilitate more effective mobilisation of available resources,” said Dr. Brice Wilfried Bicaba, Director of the Africa CDC’s CA RCC.

From Planning to Action: Joint Roadmap and 2025 Operational Plan

The outcomes of the workshop include:

  • A consolidated 2025 joint action plan, serving as a tactical guide for the immediate months ahead.

  • The adoption of a 2026–2027 regional health security roadmap, setting long-term strategic priorities.

The 2025 action plan focuses on:

  • Strengthening governance and coordination mechanisms.

  • Reinforcing integrated health systems and control of high-burden diseases.

  • Improving epidemic surveillance, early warning systems, and data analytics.

  • Expanding national laboratory capacity and regional health networks.

The forward-looking roadmap aligns with key continental frameworks such as:

  • Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023–2027

  • New Public Health Order for Africa

  • ECCAS One Health Platform (2025–2029)

  • OCEAC’s 2023–2027 Five-Year Strategic Plan

  • Regional strategies for cross-border surveillance and health emergency preparedness

This coordinated alignment ensures that regional plans resonate with global best practices while addressing local realities.

Elevating Political Commitment and Institutional Integration

Mr. Mitoha Ondo’o Ayekaba, Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Health and steering committee member of the CA RCC, praised the effort as a blueprint for enhanced regional solidarity.

“The results of your work reflect not only the richness of your contributions but also the collective commitment and strong desire to face cross-border health threats together,” Ayekaba remarked. “I am personally committed to overseeing the implementation of the joint roadmap and to advocating vigorously with my colleagues to secure the necessary political support.”

The workshop also produced several institutional recommendations, including:

  • Integrating the CA RCC as a technical member or observer in decision-making bodies within RECs.

  • Strengthening national health planning and coordination capacity across member states.

  • Co-developing protocols for inter-agency collaboration on public health emergencies.

  • Creating mechanisms for joint monitoring, evaluation, and accountability.

A Model for Multi-Sector Collaboration

The initiative has been widely hailed as a model of multi-sectoral coordination. By bringing together policy-makers, technocrats, and public health experts, the workshop bridged the gap between strategic planning and operational delivery. It demonstrated the power of partnership between Africa CDC and regional economic communities in addressing health security challenges that transcend national borders.

Dr. Peggy Raymonde Conjugo-Batoma, Head of Health at the ECCAS Commission, highlighted the role of interoperability and joint resource mobilization in ensuring the sustainability of health systems.

“This roadmap reflects our collective commitment to building a community that is better prepared, more resilient, and more responsive to health threats,” she said.

Africa CDC’s Regional Leadership in Action

The workshop marks a significant advance in Africa CDC’s mission to support the New Public Health Order, which emphasizes local ownership, stronger health institutions, regional collaboration, and workforce development.

“This marks an important step in Africa CDC’s ambition to build a more robust, integrated and inclusive continental public health system,” concluded Dr. Bicaba.

As the region moves into a new era of shared responsibility and collective resilience, the joint roadmap stands as a critical framework for transforming the way Central Africa prepares for and responds to health emergencies—ensuring no country stands alone in the face of epidemics and pandemics.

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