The much-needed African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) showcases China's continous support to Africa in the public health sector.

ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- African experts and policymakers have commended China's growing support to African institutions in the public health sector, with particular praise to its contribution towards the institutional and technical development of the much-needed African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Zhang Xiangchen (L Front), Deputy International Trade Representative from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce exchanges signed Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) documents on Cooperation for Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) with Erastus Mwencha (R Front ), Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, June 16, 2016. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

CHINA'S CONTINUED SUPPORT TO AFRICA CDC

The blossoming China-Africa public health cooperation on Tuesday, in particular, marked a notable milestone when African and Chinese officials revealed the imminent launch of constructions at the Chinese-supported future headquarters of the Africa CDC -- the African Union (AU)'s specialized technical agency in the healthcare sector.

Amira Elfadil, the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, who joined Ethiopian government officials as well as diplomats from the Chinese mission to the AU to observe the special site where construction of the Africa CDC headquarters will soon commence, said that "China has continued to send medical experts here, including their CDC personnel."

Elfadil also disclosed that construction of the CDC headquarters was expected to commence by 2020. Upon completion, the Africa CDC would be "the best facility for disease control and prevention in the African continent."

The Africa CDC's future headquarters is expected to rest on an area of 90,000 square meters on the outskirts of Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa with close proximity to the AU headquarters.

John Nkengasong, Africa CDC Director, told Xinhua recently that, as part of China's support to the Africa CDC, two Chinese experts are currently working together with African experts at the headquarters of Africa CDC to develop the center.

CHINA HELPS AFRICA TO COMBAT AGAINST HEALTHCARE THREATS

The Africa CDC, which was officially launched in January 2017, has been undertaking various activities, with which it has been able to support at least 9 AU member countries to effectively respond to 12 Ebola virus outbreaks, according to figures from the Africa CDC.

Health community interns hold an Ebola Virus placard, at the Mpondwe border, Kasese District, Western Uganda, June 18, 2019. Uganda is grappling with spreading rumors as the country strives to fight the recent Ebola outbreak that has left three people dead. (Xinhua/Nicholas Kajoba)

Nkengasong, noting the center's various crucial supports in terms of epidemiological, laboratory, logistics and other forms of supports during Ebola outbreaks across the continent, also commended China's contribution to Africa's efforts in taming such public health hazards problems.

"China has significantly contributed to Africa's ongoing combat against Ebola outbreak as well as to the development of the Africa CDC," the director told Xinhua.

"China has deployed experts in neighboring countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)," Nkengasong said, as he described China's contribution as an "important support to detect and stop the spread of the Ebola virus."

He also noted that China has been supporting the Africa CDC which has been taking various activities as part of the response efforts to the latest Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

"The Chinese government has deployed experts in neighboring countries in Uganda and other countries where it is very important that we are focusing not only in the DRC but we are also focusing in the neighboring countries, just in case the virus escapes," said Nkengasong.

A Congolese man is screened for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at the Mpondwe border, Kasese District, Western Uganda, June 18, 2019. Uganda is grappling with spreading rumors as the country strives to fight the recent Ebola outbreak that has left three people dead. (Xinhua/Nicholas Kajoba)

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC was recently declared by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of international concern.

In West Africa, where the Ebola outbreak wreaked havoc in 2014, China immediately sent medical workers and communicable disease experts to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to help the three nations overcome the crisis.