Dr. Jean Kaseya’s Post

I wholeheartedly echo the insights shared during the High-Level Ministerial Consultative Meeting by Hon. Dr. Mekdes Daba Feyssa, Minister of Health of Ethiopia. In light of recent challenges, it's imperative for us to carefully examine past experiences as we chart a path forward in our collective, coordinated efforts toward effective pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. Drawing from these insights allows us to fortify our resilience and enhance our ability to confront future crises head-on. In the face of ever-evolving global health threats, collaboration emerges as an indispensable force. Together, we possess the power to cultivate a culture rooted in knowledge-sharing, innovation, and solidarity, thereby constructing a robust framework for safeguarding public health on a global scale. Africa CDC #GlobalHealthSecurity #PandemicPrevention #Collaboration #PublicHealth #FutureReady

What is health systems strengthening and how does it help health programs achieve their results? Let’s hear from Dr. Diarra Houleymata, a public health expert and Chief of Party of the Abt-led, USAID Integrated Health Program in the Democratic Republic of Congo. #WeAreAbt #GlobalHealth #HealthSystemsStrengthening

Strengthening health systems is not just about building capacities; it's about fostering robust partnerships, strong networks, integrated policies and coherent strategies! It is essential to not only focus on immediate needs but also ensure sustainable financing and resources management to truly enhance health outcomes. Dr. Diarra Houleymata discusses the importance of holistic approaches to health system strengthening. #healthsystems #WeAreAbt

🌍 **The Shadow of the Pandemics** 🌪️ Regrettably, the pandemic has impacted us in both visible and invisible ways. First COVID-19, now MPox, and surely there will be another in the future. We must accept the reality that our lives, our scientific endeavors, and our meticulously crafted plans have been and will all be shaped by the pandemic. It is all sadness that I read about the postponement of one of the conferences I eagerly follow. This is a reminder that, in the face of uncertainty, we must remain adaptable and resilient. Let us continue to support each other and fight in the realm of public health. Together, hopefully we can navigate these turbulent waters and emerge stronger and dream about non-pandemic eras... #PublicHealth #PandemicImpact #Conference #Resilience #AfricaCDC

Congrats to all of the authors on this paper describing the most recent update to the "couple years of protection" (CYP) factor, including my colleagues in Product Development & Introduction at FHI 360, Elena Lebetkin and Markus Steiner! Check out the article via the link in the original posting below.

The Kenyan Government in partnership with key stakeholders ought to have established a readiness contingency plan as stipulated by the WHO comprising of:Risk(s) review & assessment,a well-outlined anticipatory action plan,early response ,triggers & pre-agreed decision-making rules in order to reduce overall impact of the floods( morbidity,mortality,socioeconomic consequences,resources for response & recovery amongst other confounding effects)

Our health system is submerged, literally. Watching this over and over breaks my heart given the strides that have so far been made towards primary health care interventions: how does such a hub function? where are our pregnant mothers delivering from?Never before have I seen such devastating effects of mother nature (read climate change) on our health system. This reminded me of the Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) last year when Dr. Githinji Gitahi cautioned us that, paraphrased....it is a matter of when and not whether Africa will be faced with another epidemic/disaster similar to covid 19; is our #healthsystem ready to combat this?"....this morning I ask myself this question and make a clarion call that we #refocus and #repurpose our programming to collectively manage this threat, not only now but also put systems to manage the ongoing #climatechange insult on our health system #climatechangeimpactonhealthsystems

🦠 Last week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, PhD, the Director General for the World Health Organization, issued a statement on X, announcing his plans to convene an emergency committee under the International Health Regulations to determine whether the mpox outbreaks warrant declaring a public health emergency. On August 14, 2024, Ghebreyesus concluded and announced that the growing number of mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its invasion into surrounding African countries warrant a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). "The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighboring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives,” he said in the WHO press release. According to the WHO press release, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, comprised of independent experts, met to inform Ghebreyesus that the increasing number of mpox cases and the potential for international spread warranted a PHEIC. 💉 #StaySafe #GlobalHealth #PublicHealthEmergency #Mpox #WHO #HealthAwareness #StayInformed #ProtectYourself #HealthIsWealth #Prevention #HealthMatters #PandemicPreparedness #VirusAlert #ViralOutbreak

And Africa will be saved.

As the world grapples with severe impacts of climate change, Kenya is facing its own challenges, notably #flooding. The recent spate of floods in Kenya has not only disrupted lives and livelihoods but has also taken a toll on critical infrastructure, including #healthcare facilities. The submerging of healthcare facilities underwater as depicted by Chris Barasa below presents a dire situation, threatening the delivery of essential medical services to communities in need. As we strive towards the #realization of #universalhealthcare, it is imperative that we #adapt our healthcare facilities to be #climate-resilient. Building climate-resilient healthcare facilities is not only essential for safeguarding #publichealth but also aligns with the goal of achieving #universalhealthcoverage for all #Kenyan Citizens. #climatechangeaction #healthcareadaption #climatechangehazards #extremeweatherevents #climateresilienthealthsystems