|
LUSAKA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has been elected as vice chair of the Advisory and Technical Council of the Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC), health minister said on Thursday.
The country was elected at the ongoing meeting of the governing board of CDC in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said the development was a critical position in public health leadership in Africa as it would raise the country's profile in public health programs, according to a statement released by the Zambian Embassy in Ethiopia.
The development will also enable the country contribute further to the strengthening of public health systems in Africa since Zambia has advantages in setting up public health institution including hosting of the regional collaborative center for the CDC, he added.
Dr. Victor Mukonka, director of Zambia National Public Health Institute will be representing the country on the board, he added.
The Zambian minister further said the meeting adopted a five year strategic plan for the organization which will address public health challenges on African economies.
The strategic plan will focus on five fundamental pillars that include surveillance and disease intelligence as well as preparedness and response.
Other areas the strategic plan will focus on are laboratory systems and networks, information systems, and public health and institutes. Enditem
