Kenyan Doctor Appointed to New Commission on African Covid-19 Response – LitKenya

Amref Health Africa Group CEO Githinji Gitahi has been appointed to the newly formed Commission on African Covid-19 Response.

The announcement comes after the appointment of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as the African Union Champion on Covid-19, by the African Union Bureau of Assembly of Heads of State and Government (AU Bureau) at the 34th Ordinary Session of the AU held on 6th February 2021.

Speaking after his appointment, Dr Gitahi said the surges of Covid-19 in various Africa countries continue to be a growing concern, particularly for health systems that are being pushed to a breaking point as well as for Africa’s social and economic health and recovery.

“In many of these African countries, oxygen is running out, hospital beds are full and there are no vaccines available for those who need them most. In addition to the disease burden, communities have suffered a great social and economic burden, especially born by women, girls, and children,” he told the Amref official website.

“A lot needs to be done to mitigate the outcomes for the health and well-being of Africans during these uncertain, and unprecedented times and I’m confident that the commission under the leadership of H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa will be a great addition to the continuing laudable response on Covid-19 on the continent witnessed since the first case in Africa,” he added.

President Ramaphosa’s deputy on the commission the Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Infection (Africa CDC), Dr John Nkengasong.

Dr Gitahi and his fellow commissioners will support the President in guiding the continental response to Covid-19.

The commission’s mandate is to identify gaps in the continental Covid-19 response strategy and propose evidence-based interventions.

It also generates evidence to assess the impact of the pandemic on social and economic spheres on the continent and propose ways to a strong recovery.

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