Djibouti's Health Minister, Mona Osman Adam, recently participated in an extraordinary African Union ministerial meeting held via video conferencing to discuss the Ebola outbreak and strengthen the country's preparedness. The meeting was organized by the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and attended by African health ministers, representatives from the African Union, and the World Health Organization. The discussions focused on the latest developments in the Ebola outbreak, particularly the Bundibugyo strain.
During the meeting, Minister Adam reaffirmed Djibouti's commitment to maintaining a high level of vigilance and preparedness to face the risk of Ebola. She highlighted the country's strategic location, connecting Africa to the rest of the world through sea, air, and land trade routes, which necessitates continued vigilance and proactive measures against cross-border health threats. Despite no reported Ebola cases in Djibouti, the government continues to take necessary measures to prepare for any potential emergency.
The Djibouti government has prioritized preparedness and response to Ebola risks as part of its national strategy, following the directives of President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh. The Ministry of Health has launched a set of priority measures, including developing a national plan for Ebola preparedness and response, establishing an incident management system, and enhancing the capacity of healthcare workers in surveillance, prevention, and treatment.
Minister Adam emphasized that health security is a transnational issue, and combating major pandemics requires collective efforts and intensified cooperation among countries. She stressed the importance of African solidarity through rapid information sharing, experience exchange, and resource mobilization for emergency prevention and response. Djibouti has committed to contributing to a coordinated African response based on shared responsibility and regional cooperation.
The Ministry of Health has been working to enhance its preparedness and response capacity, including completing standard operating procedures for a rapid and coordinated response, strengthening risk communication, and expanding collaboration with technical and financial partners. The government has also been working to strengthen its healthcare systems, ensuring a sustainable response to health emergencies.
The African Union meeting aimed to assess the situation, enhance cross-border coordination, accelerate support for affected countries, and consolidate preparedness at the continental level. The meeting's outcome is expected to inform a coordinated response to the Ebola outbreak, in line with the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's strategy.
Minister Adam expressed her appreciation for the ongoing support from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, particularly in technical assistance, simulation exercises, and capacity building. The Ministry of Health remains committed to continuing its efforts to prevent, monitor, and respond to health threats, ensuring the health security of Djibouti's population.
Key points
- Djibouti's Health Minister participates in an extraordinary African Union ministerial meeting to discuss the Ebola outbreak and enhance the country's preparedness.
- The country has not reported any Ebola cases but continues to take measures to prepare for potential emergencies.
- The government has prioritized preparedness and response to Ebola risks as part of its national strategy.
Reporting sources
- Al Qarn · Al Qarn
