On 19th February, the Assembly of the African Union appointed Dr Jean Kaseya of the Democratic Republic of Congo as Director General of the Africa CDC for a mandate of 4 years. He will oversee the delivery of the core functions and key objectives of the organization, as per its statute. According to the statute, the mandate of the Africa CDC is as follows:

1. Establish event-based surveillance in order to detect potential disease threats from informal, non-structured sources that often circulate outside the official health sector;

2. AssistMemberStatestoaddressgapsinInternational

Health regulation compliance;
3. Support public health emergency preparedness and response;

4. Map the regional- and country-level hazard and risk assessments for Member States.

The DG will also be responsible for the formulation and implementation of substantive work programs for the Regional Collaborating Centers and ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion. Proficient in English and French, Dr. Jean Kaseya is Medical Doctor with Masters degree in Public health and ongoing Masters on Business Administration. Accomplished Medical Doctor, Public Health Leader, Country Representative, Project Director, Chief of party, Senior Technical Advisor, and Senior Programme Officer with more than 22 years in project design, programme management and strengthening service delivery of complex projects and missions on humanitarian and development settings in Africa and Asia including fragile, low income and Middle-Income countries.