AFENET

Extension Call for Abstracts: 4th ZAFENET Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting
2026-01-11 - 2026-01-12
EXTENSION Call Abracts ZAFENET Scientific Conference

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
2025-12-27 00:00 - 2025-12-28 00:00 (Africa/Kampala)
The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is a day for UN Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other global, regional and subregional organizations, the private sector and civil society, including non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, individuals and other relevant stakeholders to observe the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness annually in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national contexts and priorities, through education and awareness-raising activities, in order to highlight the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for and partnership against epidemics. Learn more.

International Universal Health Coverage Day
2025-12-12 - 2025-12-13
International Universal Health Coverage Day aims to raise awareness of the need for strong and resilient health systems and universal health coverage with multi-stakeholder partners. Each year on 12 December, UHC advocates raise their voices to share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, champion what we have achieved so far, call on leaders to make bigger and smarter investments in health, and encourage diverse groups to make commitments to help move the world closer to UHC by 2030. Learn more.

World AIDS Day
2025-12-01 08:00 - 2025-12-02 23:30
Commemorated on December 01 every year, World AIDS Day is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. Learn more.

Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action
2025-11-17 - 2025-11-18
Each year WHO joins advocates around the world to commemorate a landmark Day of Action for Cervical Cancer Elimination and welcome groundbreaking new initiatives to end this devastating disease

World Diabetes Day
2025-11-14 08:00 - 2025-11-15 17:00
Established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation with support from WHO in response to growing concerns about the health and economic threat posed by diabetes, World Diabetes Day became an official UN day in 2006. Learn more.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 1- 31)
2025-11-01 00:00 - 23:59
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to create awareness, honour the millions of lives affected by breast cancer and reaffirm global commitment to equitable access to care and improved survival for all. This year’s theme is: Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters. Learn more.

3rd Scientific Conference of the Mozambique Field Epidemiology Training Program (October 21-23, 2025)
2025-10-24
To be held in Maputo in a hybrid format, the conference will ran under the theme: “Field Epidemiology: A Key Pillar for Strengthening Preparedness and Response to Public Health Emergencies” Learn more.

World Mental Health Day
2025-10-10 08:00 - 2025-10-11 17:00
The overall objective of World Mental Health Day, commemorated on October 10, is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. Learn more.

World Patient Safety Day
2025-09-17 - 2025-09-18
World Patient Safety Day calls for global solidarity and concerted action by all countries and international partners to improve patient safety. The Day brings together patients, families, caregivers, communities, health workers, health care leaders and policymakers to show their commitment to patient safety. Learn more.

World Field Epidemiology Day
2025-09-07 - 2025-09-08
Marked on September 7, World Field Epidemiology Day is a global movement to recognize and raise awareness of the vital role of field epidemiologists in protecting the health of populations and advancing global health security, and to advocate for increased investment in field epidemiology training, research, and professionals. The 2025 theme is Making Our Mark: Field Epidemiology in Action. Learn more.

World Breastfeeding Week (1st - 7th August)
2025-08-07 - 2025-08-08
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year in the first week of August, championed by WHO, UNICEF, Ministries of Health and civil society partners around the globe. It’s a time to recognize breastfeeding as a powerful foundation for lifelong health, development, and equity. Learn more.

World Hepatitis Day
2025-07-28 08:00 - 17:00
Marked on July 28, World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO’s Global hepatitis report of 2017. Learn more.

World Drowning Prevention Day
2025-07-25 - 2025-07-26
World Drowning Prevention Day is held annually on 25 July. This global advocacy event serves as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and offer life-saving solutions to prevent it. Learn more.

World Population Day
2025-07-11 08:00 - 23:30
Commemorated on July 11 is a global observance dedicated to raising awareness about population issues, including family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, and human rights. Established by the United Nations, this day serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in people and supporting sustainable development. Learn more.

Toxicological Outbreak Investigation and Disaster Epidemiology Training/Workshop For Southern Africa
2025-06-23 - 2025-06-24 | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, JOHANNESBURG, South Africa
Southern Africa Region Profile
Southern Africa AFENET region is diverse and is known for its rich cultural heritage, varied landscapes, and significant natural resources. Major countries include South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi and Angola. The region has a mixed economy with agriculture, mining and tourism as vital sectors. South Africa is the largest economy, known for its mining and manufacturing industries.
Health challenges and natural disasters significantly impact communities in this region. High prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS particularly in countries like South Africa and Botswana continue to strain healthcare systems. The other significant health challenge is that of Tuberculosis (TB). The region has some of the highest TB rates globally, often compounded by HIV co-infection.
Natural disasters pose significant risks to communities and economies in this region. Key types include drought, floods, cyclones, fires and desertification which affects arable land, reducing agricultural productivity and leading to food insecurity. Particularly impacts communities reliant on farming. These disasters require effective disaster preparedness and response strategies to mitigate their impacts on vulnerable populations.
Recently, southern Africa experienced several significant disasters including cyclone Idai (2019) which struck Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, causing widespread flooding and displacement. It resulted in over 1000 deaths and significant infrastructure damage. Furthermore, prolonged droughts have affected countries like Zimbabwe and South Africa, leading to severe water shortages and food insecurity, particularly in 2019 and 2020. These disasters highlight the region’s vulnerability to climate related events and the need for improved disaster preparedness and resilience strategies.
The CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, Health Studies Team (HST) mission is to prevent exposure to and disease from non-infectious environmental hazards by building environmental epidemiologic capacity needed for public health action, providing evidence-based information on the potential impact of environmental hazards on human health, and by responding to environmental public health emergencies.
To help public health agencies investigate toxic outbreaks and developing public health workshop for disaster preparedness and response, the HST developed an environmental toxic outbreak investigation and disaster epidemiology trainings. These trainings course is flexible to meet the needs of various audiences both for domestic and international audience.
Course Goal
The goals of the Toxic Outbreak and Disaster Epidemiology Course are to provide information, resources, and learning activities to help public health practitioners, Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) fellows gain the knowledge and skills needed to investigate a toxicological outbreak and respond to natural or human-induced disasters.
Target Audience
The target audience includes public health practitioners, FETP fellows, emergency managers who investigate outbreaks, or respond to disasters in Southern Africa region
Course duration
The course duration will vary depending on the modules that are included and the delivery format. The suggested course duration for a facilitator-led delivery of all modules, which allows for group process and discussion, is approximately 7 days. We will do a modified version of the full course (5 days) if there is time or fund limitation
Partner
The training workshop will be organized in partnership with African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) Southern Africa Regional Office . Selected public health practitioners and FETP fellows from Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa will be invited to participate. An additional invited guest from West African region will also participate.
Place and date
To Be Determined
Funding
The funds to cover local costs such as venue, stationaries, and participants travel expenses etc. will be provided by the US CDC through a cooperative agreement with AFENET.
NCEH/HSS Subject Mater Expertise (SMES)

Three SMEs from NCEH/HST will travel to deliver the training.
HST will cover the travel expenses of NCEH/HST SMEs

Logistics

The AFENET, Southern Africa Regional office in liaison with SAFETP will be responsible for fund management, organizing the workshop including securing the venue, inviting the participants, writing the final report etc.
Course size: 25–30 participants
A/V equipment needed: computer with PowerPoint©, projector, and screen
Materials: copies of participant workbook, toolkit, pens, flip chart, and markers

World Sickle Cell Day
2025-06-19 - 2025-06-20
World Sickle Cell Day marked every June 19 is an international awareness day aimed at increasing the public’s knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease and its challenges. Learn more.

World Blood Donor Day
2025-06-14 - 2025-06-15
Every year countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on June 14. The event serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. Learn more.

World Food Safety Day
2025-06-07 - 2025-06-08
The World Food Safety Day celebrated on 7 June aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. Learn more.

World No Tobacco Day
2025-05-31 00:00 - 2025-06-01 17:00
This yearly celebration informs the public on the dangers of using tobacco, the business practices of tobacco companies, what WHO is doing to fight the tobacco epidemic, and what people around the world can do to claim their right to health and healthy living and to protect future generations. Learn more.

World Hand Hygiene Day
2025-05-05 00:00 - 2025-05-06 17:00
World Hand Hygiene Day is an international event aimed at promoting the visibility and sustainability of hand hygiene in health care, and to bring people together in support of hand hygiene improvement around the world. Learn more.

World Malaria Day
2025-04-25 08:00 - 2025-04-26 17:00
25 April is World Malaria Day. The day is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. It was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007. Learn more.

World Immunization Week
2025-04-24 08:00 - 2025-05-01 17:00
World Immunization Week, celebrated in the last week of April, aims to highlight the collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Learn more.

World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April 2025
2025-04-07 08:00 - 2025-04-08 17:00
World Health Day, celebrated on 7 April 2025, will kick off a year-long campaign on maternal and newborn health. The campaign, titled Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures, will urge governments and the health community to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being. WHO and partners will also share useful information to support healthy pregnancies and births, and better postnatal health. Learn more.

World Tuberculosis Day
2025-03-24 - 2025-03-25
Each year we commemorate World TB Day on March 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease. Learn more.

World Water Day
2025-03-22 - 2025-03-23
The theme of World Water Day 2025 is ‘Glacier Preservation’. Glaciers are critical to life – their meltwater is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production and healthy ecosystems. Rapidly melting glaciers are causing uncertainty to water flows, with profound impacts on people and the planet. Learn more:

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day
2025-01-30 - 2025-01-31
Celebrated on 30 January, the purpose of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is to raise the profile of neglected tropical diseases, the suffering they cause and to garner support towards their control, elimination and eradication, in line with the programmatic targets set out in the NTD road map 2021−2030 and the commitments of the 2022 Kigali declaration on neglected tropical diseases.

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
2024-12-27 - 2024-12-28
As exemplified by the Covid 19 pandemic, major infectious diseases and epidemics have devastating impacts on human lives, wreaking havoc on long-term social and economic development. Global health crises threaten to overwhelm already overstretched health systems, disrupt global supply chains and cause disproportionate devastation of the livelihoods of people, including women and children, and the economies of the poorest and most vulnerable countries. To this, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 27 as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness. Learn more.

Universal Health Coverage Day
2024-12-12 00:00 - 2024-12-13 00:00
Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC) Day on 12 December is the annual rallying point for advocates to raise their voices and share the stories of the millions of people still waiting for health, call on leaders to make smarter investments in health and remind the world about the imperative of UHC. Learn more.

World AIDS Day
2024-12-01 - 2024-12-02
World AIDS Day brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. Learn more.
