Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Program
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by
AFENET
AFENET 20th Anniversary Message
On this special day of your 20th anniversary, I share the best wishes from the leadership of the World Health Organization. Over the past 20 years, the African Field Epidemiology Network has collaborated with WHO across national, regional and global levels to build and use field epidemiology for disease prevention, detection and response. I am proud of the contributions that AFINET has made in supporting national public health agencies and ministries of health in strengthening health security in countries.
I congratulate you on supporting many of the countries to start and sustain field epidemiology training programs around the continent. As a beneficiary of field epidemiology training myself, I am deeply aware of the value that skilled field epidemiologists bring to all levels of the public health sector. As you look forward to the future, I hope the strong collaboration with WHO at all levels will continue.
Aligning and embedding with national public health agencies is the best way that our work can support Member States’ desire to be increasingly in control of their destiny. As countries implement their national health security plans, WHO’s role is to support each country’s needs in the space of health security in line with global standards. We count on AFENET’s support with this mission.
The dwindling official development assistance in many of our countries is an opportunity to prioritize and advocate for local ownership and more domestic funding for FETP. Having worked closely with AFENET as a leader of a national public health agency, I greatly appreciate the agility that AFINET brings in advancing national health security. Now as a leader in WHO, I appreciate the partnership with AFENET to support these agencies.
My sincere compliments and congratulations to the leadership and staff of AFENET. Let us continue building, strengthening and sustaining national public health systems. Even as the core principles of the underlying science of our practice is being questioned in some quarters, let us stand firm, not for our beliefs, but for science.
Our role is not only as scientists, but also as advocates for science. I thank you and wish you a joyous and reflective celebration.