President Museveni Pledges Enhanced Support for Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
By The Public Lens
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during a meeting with its Director General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, at State House Entebbe.
The President reiterated Uganda’s dedication to empowering African health institutions to combat disease threats.
The meeting focused on strategic collaborations, including strengthening local medicine manufacturing, enhancing Africa’s laboratory hub system, particularly in Uganda, and bolstering community health workforce.
The discussion also addressed the current monkeypox outbreak and Uganda’s efforts to prevent disease transmission.
President Museveni reflected on Africa’s history of disease outbreaks, citing smallpox epidemics in the 1890s that devastated communities due to lack of vaccination.
He emphasized Uganda’s progress in disease prevention, attributing success to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s emphasis on prevention over cure.
“80% of diseases are preventable,” President Museveni stressed.
Uganda’s achievements include, Immunization drives that contributed to population growth from 14 million in 1986 to 46 million, safe water initiatives eliminating Guinea worm, cholera and bilharzias plus graduating 2,500 medical personnel annually, including 600 qualified doctors.
However, President Museveni acknowledged challenges in combating malaria and maternal mortality.
He highlighted Uganda’s progress in reducing maternal mortality through expanded health services and targeted initiatives.
Dr. Kaseya commended President Museveni’s visionary leadership in establishing Africa CDC in 2016.
Africa CDC faces challenges, including insufficient funding and dependence on external donors.
Dr. Kaseya urged collective African support, emphasizing self-sufficiency.
“Even small contributions empower us,” he appealed.
Africa CDC seeks autonomy to address outbreaks effectively.
Dr. Kaseya praised Uganda’s medicine manufacturing capabilities, approved by the World Health Organization.
He advocated for African countries to procure medicines from regional manufacturers.
“This eliminates reliance on external suppliers,” Dr. Kaseya explained.
Africa CDC aims to streamline medicine procurement and distribution across Africa.
Dr. Kaseya lauded Uganda’s community health program, citing its effectiveness in containing outbreaks.
He emphasized investing in grassroots community health systems.
“This investment leverages resources, potentially securing $3-5 billion,” Dr. Kaseya projected.
Minister for Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng commended President Museveni’s role in establishing Africa CDC.
Africa CDC was established by the 26th Ordinary Assembly of Heads of State and Government to improve coordination among African Union member states.
President Museveni’s leadership and Uganda’s health advancements were lauded.
The Africa CDC strives to strengthen health institutions across 55 African countries.
