Strengthen Public Health Emergency Systems, HH Tells AU Summit

President Hakainde Hichilema has urged African Union (AU) member states to strengthen public health operation centres around the continent in order to more quickly respond to emerging health threats.

Speaking at a side event during the AU’s 4th Mid-Year Coordination Summit on Sunday, the President observed that many African countries lack emergency coordination structures, as well as the capacity to anticipate and respond to diseases and other health threats.

“It is my hope that this side event will achieve its objectives as set out, as individual member states and collectively set ourselves out into a cause of better preparedness when we are faced with such a situation,” he said. 

The event was organised by the Africa Centre for Disease Control at the Kenneth Kaunda Wing of the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. During his speech, President Hichilema said that in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Africa had a responsibility to deal with its own health challenges and that African countries should act in unison to contribute solutions to global health problems.  

Over the weekend, Zambia hosted leaders from across the African Union to discuss the many pressing issues facing the continent. Following the closing ceremony on Sunday, President Hichilema wrote on social media “We used every available opportunity during the summit to promote our country as an attractive investment destination with a peaceful and hard working population.” 

“We also wish to proudly thank our fellow citizens for being peaceful and magnanimous during the entire period of the summit,” he added.