TZ eyes Africa CDC deal on border drug hubs

ETHIOPIA: TANZANIA has invited the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) from Ethiopia to establish technical cooperation with the Medical Stores Department (MSD), as the country plans to set up drug distribution centres at its borders and across all districts.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, proposed the initiative when he met and held discussions with the Africa CDC Director General, Dr Jean Kaseya, during his working visit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ambassador Kombo, who visited the headquarters of Africa CDC in Addis Ababa, expressed his admiration for the institution’s work, noting its significant international reputation, although African nations have yet to fully utilise it.

“We need to be your ambassadors so that our leaders understand in depth the work you are doing,” said Ambassador Kombo.

The Africa CDC is an African Union agency focused on enhancing public health, disease surveillance, capacity building, research and health promotion to improve health outcomes across the continent.

He also commended the contributions and efforts of the institution in improving the health and well-being of the people of Africa.

Minister Kombo underscored that the work of Africa CDC impacts sectors such as health, education, sports and culture, urging the institution to collaborate more with various ministries of member states, while expressing the readiness of the Tanzanian government to strengthen this relationship.

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He praised Africa CDC’s efforts in combating sickle cell disease, stating that Tanzania is prepared to participate through the “Building a Better Tomorrow (BBT)” initiative led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

In response, Dr Kaseya commended Minister Kombo for the visit and noted that Tanzania could be an important partner in helping Africa CDC convey its message to African leaders, especially given President Samia’s current position as Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense, and Security Cooperation.

Ambassador Kombo also visited the Emergency Operations Center, which monitors over 140 health events across Africa and learned how the institution uses modern technology to protect the health of the continent.