TDDA event at the World Health Summit, Berlin 26 Oct 2021
ARE WE LEARNING FROM COVID-19? Moving towards a “whole of society” approach to COVID-19 response and integrated health security
COVID-19 continues to have wide reaching impact despite global, national and local efforts. While the pandemic has put a spotlight on our collective human and economic vulnerability, it has put equity at both the country and community level into sharp relief. We have seen geopolitical interests lead to inequalities and how social determinants shape differential exposure, access and impact on countries and vulnerable populations.
Addressing COVID-19 vaccine equity is a pressing issue. We need more effective application of evidence to the alignment of global, regional and national actors to address not only the “vaccine famine” in Africa but also how to get vaccines in the arms of vulnerable populations. This includes a “whole of society” engagement in response.
The urgency of this the current pandemic notwithstanding, we have an imperative to drive lessons learnt to improve our organisation of epidemiological intelligence, preparedness for, and response to, future events. This drive is as much about challenging norms and political action as is it is about delivery of technical interventions and health services.
Tackling deadly diseases in Africa is convening a panel of global leaders to reflect on learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges we face, both in the immediate and longer term. The discussion will be chaired by Jeffrey Mecaskey, FFPH, Team Leader of the TDDA programme, which is funded by UK aid and led by DAI Global Health.
Our panellists:
Dr. John Nkengasong, Founding Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Founding Director General of the Nigeria CDC and incoming inaugural Director of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence
Prof. Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of United Nations University International Institute for Global Health
To join the discussion, follow the link to our invitation