MOMBASA, Kenya—The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has called on African countries to strengthen local health systems and reduce reliance on external support as the continent prepares for future pandemics.
Africa CDC Senior Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, Dr Lul Riek, said pandemic preparedness should be institutionalised within national and local health systems rather than treated as an emergency response measure when outbreaks occur.
Speaking on Africa’s health security and sovereignty, Dr Riek said countries must also strengthen their capacity to manufacture vaccines, medicines and other essential medical supplies while embracing digital technologies to improve primary healthcare.
He said behavioural intelligence and infodemic management should form part of pandemic preparedness by helping authorities understand public perceptions, track emerging concerns and respond to misinformation before it undermines public health measures.
Dr Riek cited Uganda’s response to disease outbreaks as an example of how effective leadership, coordination and community participation can strengthen efforts to contain infectious diseases.
Public health experts at the meeting also called for a new approach to rebuilding public trust during health emergencies, saying authorities need to engage communities more closely and understand their concerns before misinformation and distrust escalate.
Dr Bridget Anim of Ghana said health authorities should pay greater attention to what communities are saying and identify public concerns and emotions early enough to prevent them from developing into major challenges during an outbreak.
Dr Harold Thomas of Sierra Leone urged African countries to use periods without major outbreaks to strengthen their preparedness, warning that increased travel and trade could facilitate the rapid spread of infectious diseases across the continent.
The experts said community feedback should be incorporated into health policies, making local communities active participants in pandemic preparedness and response rather than treating them only as recipients of public health interventions.
The call comes as African countries continue to strengthen lessons and systems developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with health experts stressing the need for greater continental capacity to detect, prevent and respond to future outbreaks.
