Africa CDC Public Health Emergency fellows visit ECDC

The five-day study tour was attended by five Africa CDC Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) fellows from Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Nigeria and Kenya, as well as three Africa CDC experts and representatives from ECDC, EU Member States, and WHO Europe. The tour included a short trip to the Lithuanian Emergency Operations Centre in Vilnius.

The main objective of the study tour was for the fellows to improve their understanding of how public health emergency response is designed and supported at the EU level. The visit included presentations and discussions on preparedness plans, response activities, Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) management and the EU’s emergency decision-making processes.

Africa CDC Public Health Emergency Management Fellowship

The Africa CDC PHEM Fellowship targets mid-career African public health professionals with skill sets and experience in managing public health EOCs or leading emergency preparedness and response programmes in African Union member states. The first cohort started on 2 October 2023.

The fellowship aims to:

• empower fellows with public health emergency management knowledge and practice; 

• provide fellows with in-depth exposure to the role of public health EOCs in preparing for, responding to and recovering from various public health emergencies;

• equip fellows with the core competencies required to initiate and lead the implementation of emergency management programs.