Africa CDC Inaugurates West Africa Committee To Strengthen Public Health

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has inaugurated the West Africa Regional Technical Advisory Committee (ReTAC), aimed at providing technical guidance and operational support for the West Africa Regional Coordinating Centre (WA RCC).

This marks a significant step towards improving regional collaboration and preparedness in addressing public health emergencies

In a statement signed by acting regional director of the WA RCC, Dr. Herilinda Temba the inauguration of ReTAC was described as a key milestone in the full operationalisation of the RCC in West Africa. Temba highlighted that these initiatives are crucial for driving the region’s preparedness and resilience against public health threats, while fostering collaboration among member states, development partners and regional health organisations.

“The establishment of ReTAC will serve as a platform for accountability and technical guidance in shaping the operational framework of the West Africa RCC,” Temba noted. “This is a critical milestone in enhancing the region’s ability to respond to public health emergencies.”

The meeting, attended by representatives from 11 of the 15 West African member states, centres of excellence, regional institutions and selected health development partners, underscored the importance of bolstering public health coordination and response efforts across the region. Temba expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for hosting the event and emphasised the need for regional cooperation in tackling emerging health challenges.

ReTAC’s launch is part of a broader initiative by Africa CDC to strengthen regional health coordination across the continent. According to Temba, four out of five regional coordinating centres across Africa have already established similar committees, with West Africa becoming the latest to follow suit. The new committee is expected to play a pivotal role in implementing strategies to enhance public health systems and readiness for future emergencies.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the election of Mrs. Adama Drammeh as the permanent secretary II of The Gambia’s Ministry of Health, as the chair of the inaugural ReTAC. Mr. Domingos Veiga Varela from Cape Verde was elected as vice-chair. Drammeh expressed her commitment to guiding the committee towards achieving its goals, stating, “It is an honour to lead this committee as we work together to implement a roadmap that will guide our region in addressing public health challenges.”

With ReTAC now formally established, stakeholders anticipate a more efficient and timely approach to tackling public health threats in West Africa. The next steps include operationalising the roadmap and tracking progress on the agreed strategies. The meeting emphasised the collective efforts of West African nations and partners to strengthen health systems and improve resilience against future health emergencies.