MEDIA ADVISORY

Technical Workshop on Mortality Surveillance in Africa
INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT: Technical workshop to discuss existing mortality surveillance initiatives in Africa.

WHO: Representatives of Africa CDC and African Union Commission, all 55 AU Member States, WHO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Fund, Gavi Alliance, and other partners.

WHEN: 26-27 February 2019

TIME: 9.00 am to 5.30pm

WHERE: African Union Commission, Small Conference Rooms 2 & 3

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Most countries in Africa lack accurate mortality data to inform important public health policy and decisions. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) began implementing a Mortality Surveillance Programme for Africa. This Member State-led response will help increase the volume and accuracy of mortality data needed to reduce avoidable deaths, increase effectiveness of investments in heath, improve how ministries track results, and advance health outcomes for millions of Africans.

This week, technical experts will gather in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to discuss lessons from existing mortality surveillance initiatives, explore mortality surveillance needs of AU Member States, available resources and expertise, determine Africa Union and Africa CDC role, and develop an action plan. This crucial meeting will provide direction for the programme. Decisions from the meeting will be further refined by Member States during two regional meetings holding later this year.

Journalists are invited to attend and cover the opening ceremony at the African Union Headquarters tomorrow Tuesday 26 February 2019 at 9:00am.

About the Africa CDC
The Africa CDC mission is to strengthen Africa’s public health institution’s capacities, capabilities and partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks based on science, policy, and data-driven interventions and programmes.

Learn more at: http://www.africacdc.org

About the African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission.
Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en

For more information:
Dr. Jay Varma, Senior Advisor, Africa CDC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, varmaj@africa-union.com

Media contact:
Mr. Molalet Tsedeke, Directorate of Information and Communication, AU Commission, Tel: +251911630631, E-mail: molalett@africa-union.org

For further information:

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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