Thread by @Chikwe_I

There has been a lot of concern globally, about the capacity of African countries to respond in the event of #COVID19 outbreak

One clear difference between the 2014 Ebola outbreak and now, is the rise of regional health institutes- @OoasWaho & @AfricaCDC

#NCDCSundayReflections

Since the beginning of the #COVID19 outbreak in China, our coordination in Africa has been anchored by structures developed by @WHOAFRO, @AfricaCDC & @OoasWaho

These institutions have created a platform for collaboration, data sharing, training & capacity building

Through @AfricaCDC, colleagues from Member States have been trained in various areas in the last one month:

*Laboratory diagnosis
*Infection prevention and control
*Point of entry surveillance
*Risk communications

The use of regional resources for these training is exemplary!

In #Nigeria, we are leading the ongoing training on infection prevention and control for @AfricaCDC

Training on lab diagnosis was led by Institut Pasteur, Dakar; training on "Points of Entry" by our colleagues in Kenya

Progress for Africa led by Africans

@WHOAFRO has also deployed experts to high risk Member States including Nigeria, to strengthen our preparedness

In addition to this support, there has been an incredible amount of effort in ensuring Member States have diagnostic capacity and the resources needed

In a remarkable show of leadership, @OoasWaho & @AfricaCDC @WHOAFRO have also held Emergency Meetings for Ministers of Health in West Africa & Africa for #COVID19

Hon. Minister @Fmohnigeria, @DrEOEhanire has committed to ensuring Nigeria’s compliance with the regional strategy

We’re preparing for our best & worst case scenarios in the event of a #COVID19 outbreak in Africa

Training health workers, developing guidelines, learning from each other & more

The leadership by @WHOAFRO @AfricaCDC & @OoasWaho is progress for health security. We #keeppushing