WHO joins efforts with Morocco & Africa CDC to set up emergency response network – The North Africa Post

Morocco has joined efforts with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Africa Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (Africa CDC) for the establishment of an Emergency Network for Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean to ensure swift regional response to health crises.

The announcement was made in Rabat following a three-day summit held lately with the participation of senior health officials from WHO, Africa, and Eastern Mediterranean to strengthen regional preparedness capabilities.

The Health Emergency Leaders Network, the first of its kind, is a platform gathering senior health emergency leaders in Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean regions, alongside international partners to forge stronger regional defenses that also reinforce global health security.

In an address during the meeting, Moroccan Health minister Amine Tahraoui said Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, has turned major health crises into powerful lessons of resilience and drivers of solidarity.

COVID-19 and other recent global crises have shown the world that no nation can stand alone, and that lasting health security can only be achieved through shared responsibility, solidarity, and cooperation, underlined the minister.

For her part, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said “when crises transcend borders, so must our response-seamlessly, efficiently, and with one voice”.

The Network’s value is clear: trust, operational alignment with global efforts, and a mechanism to share lessons and advance cross regional opportunities before emergencies erupt, she added.

Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean face some of the toughest emergencies in the world.

“By bringing our leaders together, we are creating the relationships and readiness spirits that will make responses faster, stronger, and ultimately, lifesaving”, stressed WHO regional official.

Dr. Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director-General, Africa CDC, said the real difference in any emergency is made by people and by leaders who act together in solidarity to protect communities.