East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 5th March, 2019: Above normal rainfall is expected in the East African region over the next few months, a scenario that could expose the region to increased risks of disease outbreaks.
This forecast is based on the regional climate outlook for the March to May 2019 long rainfall season provided by the Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum held in Entebbe, Uganda.
East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) Headquarters, Kigobe, Bujumbura, Burundi, December, 2018: H.E. Gaston Sindimwo, the 1st Vice President of the Republic Burundi graced the official launch of the Headquarters of the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) located in Kigobe, Bujumbura City, Burundi that took place on 4th December 2018.
Also present were Hon. Isabelle Ndahayo, Minister to the Presidency in charge of EAC Affairs; Hon. Thadee Ndikumana, Minister of Health; Hon. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Minister of High Education; Hon. Freddy Mbonimpa, Mayor of Bujumbura; Hon. Jean Baptiste Nzorironkankuze, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko.
The launch also brought together other Government Officials from Burundi; Diplomatic Corps accredited to Bujumbura; EAC Secretariat and EAC Institutions Executives; Members of EAHRC Commissioners; Stakeholders and Staff.
The 1st Vice President commended the EAC Heads of State Summit for establishing the Institution and the EAC Council of Ministers for allocating Bujumbura City to be the Permanent Headquarters of the Commission. He pledged the Government of Burundi’s full support to the Institution including availing land for the construction of its Headquarter premises, as per the Headquarters Agreement.
Addressing the guests at the launch, the Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko said the operationalisation of the EAHRC commenced in July 2015 but due to various factors, the Commission was able to relocate to Bujumbura in January 2018.
He noted that the relocation was achieved through close collaboration between the East African Community Secretariat and the Government of the Republic of Burundi. The Secretary General commended the Government of Burundi for having facilitated the Commission to procure the headquarters and to relocate to Bujumbura. He urged the Republic of Burundi to fast track the process of granting land where to build the permanent headquarters of the EAHRC.
He also commended the Commission for achieving several milestones since its operationalisation and urged the staff to keep the speed and the commitment high.
Amb. Mfumukeko commended the EAHRC for developing a costed Digital Regional East African Community Health (Digital REACH) Strategic Plan 2019-2028, which will, among others, implement two (2) of the three (3) sub priorities under the priority of Strengthening of Health Research and Development as approved by the 19th Summit of the EAC Heads of States.
He said the Costed Digital Health Strategic Plan had been approved by the 17th Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council on Health that directed the East African Health Research Commission Secretariat to mobilize resources to implement the strategy. In this context, the Secretary General called upon development partners to support the Community to implement the digital health strategic plan.
On his part, the EAHRC Executive Secretary, Prof Gibson Kibiki disclosed that the vision of the Commission is a healthy and prosperous community built on evidence-driven policy and practice, which emanate from high quality research.
The mission is to improve health and well-being of the citizens of the Community by generating, accessing, capturing, assessing, synthesizing, sharing, disseminating, and utilising health research and findings, as well as technological development that are suitable and relevant to the Community and its people.
He asserted that the broad objective of the Commission is to promote, facilitate, and coordinate the conduct and application of health research for the improvement of health and for the wellbeing of the people of East Africa.
In regard to Research environment in the EAC Partner States, Prof Kibiki disclosed that the Commission had carried out baseline assessments and needs on ethics review frameworks that revealed many gaps and challenges. In order to address those gaps and challenges, the Commission was developing a work plan with the aim of creating a good research environment for the development of Research and Development.
The Executive Secretary highlighted some of the significant achievements made by the Commission since its operationalisation in July 2015, which include, among others :-
The development of the EAHRC Strategic Plan 2016-2021 approved by EAC Council of Ministers and its operationalisation;
The development of the Digital Regional East African Community Health (Digital REACH) initiative which is a coordination mechanism that brings together stakeholders from the EAC region, development partners and other key players outside the region to improve health outcomes across the EAC. The initiative is a novel, and ground-breaking strategy to transform the health service delivery and health outcomes in the region through scaled uptake and utilisation of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT); Digital Health Technology is one of the Health Sector priorities approved by EAC Heads of States for the next 10 years;
Establishment of the Young East African Health Research Scientists’ (YEARS’) Forum which is an initiative aiming to empower East African Community (EAC) young researchers to be able to shape the future of research for health in the region, the initiative was approved by 15th meeting of EAC Council of Ministers;
Organization of the East African Health and Scientific Conference (EAHSC) which is an EAC biennial event convened in East Africa by the EAHRC in collaboration with a host EAC Partner State;
Establishment of One-Stop Center for Health Information in East Africa operational through the web portal (www.eahealth.org) which is the official comprehensive compendium of health information in East Africa;
Publishing EAHRC Scientific Journals that are contributing to share with the global scientific community the scientific work part of the EAC region; and
Participating in and facilitating a number of other regional programs and projects.
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For more information please contact:
Office of the Executive Secretary East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) East African Community Quartier KIGOBE, Avenue des Etats Unis, n°71 B.P. 350 Bujumbura Tel: +(257) 22 27 99 80/1/2 Bujumbura, BURUNDI Web: http://www.eac.int
About EAHRC
An Institution of the East African Community, is a mechanism for making available to the Community, advice upon all matters of health and health-related research and findings necessary for knowledge generation, technological development, policy formulation and practice; and for related matters. It is the principal advisory institution to the EAC on health Research and Development (R&D).
The East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) in collaboration with its board of Commissioners is organizing the Official Launch of the Headquarter of the East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC), located in quartier Kigobe, Republic of Burundi, on 05th December 2018.
The East African Health Research Commission (EAHRC) is an institution of the East African Community (EAC) established by EAC Heads of State on 18th June, 2007 as a mechanism for making available to the community, advise upon all matters of health and health related research and findings necessary for knowledge generation, technological development, policy formulations, practices and related matters. EAHRC is the principal advisory institution to the EAC on Health Research and Development (R&D).
Operationalization of the Commission commenced in July 2015.
As per the decision of the 24th EAC Council of Ministers held in Bujumbura, Burundi, on 26th November 2011 (EAC/CM24/Decision09), the Permanent Headquarters of the Commission is located in the City of Bujumbura in the Republic of Burundi.
The launch of the EAHRC headquarters is expected to bring together Officials from the Government of Burundi, Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Bujumbura, EAC Secretariat, and Executives of the EAC Institutions, Board of EAHRC Commissioners, EAHRC Stakeholders and EAHRC Staff.
For any information about that event, please contact Ms. Betty Nankya via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Mob: +25775568506 Tel: +(257) 22 27 99 80/1/2 +(257)22259715 Bujumbura-BURUNDI Web: http://www.eac.int or www.eac.bi
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 22nd November, 2018: The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has committed a grant of US$34 million (EUR 30 million) to the East African Community (EAC) to support the regional organisation’s immunization efforts. The EAC Secretary General, Amb. Libérat Mfumukeko, and the Deputy Ambassador of Germany to the EAC, Mr. Jörg Herrera, jointly signed the according Government Agreement in Dar es Salaam today.
With the additional grant, Germany will be financing the procurement of vaccines for children in the EAC against various diseases including measles, rotavirus, pneumococcus, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and yellow fever. The programme will be financed through KfW, the German Development Bank and implemented in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The cooperation aims at reducing child mortality in the region and mainly targets newborns.
This new commitment will bring Germany`s contribution to EAC’s regional immunization programmes to approximately US$170 million (EURO 150 million) since 2012. To date, German Development Cooperation with the EAC has financed over 60 million doses of life-saving vaccines for the region and the average immunization coverage in the region was substantially increased, making the EAC’s immunization programmes the strongest in Sub-Sahara Africa.
"Germany is a committed partner to the East African regional integration process. We are proud that our cooperation with the EAC and the Gavi Alliance is contributing greatly to improve child health in the region,” said Amb. Herrera.
Amb. Herrera further said that vaccinations were a highly effective and cost effective means to fight child mortality, adding that particularly focus needs to be put on children from poor families as they often lack sufficient access to quality health care.
Mr Herrera also commended the EAC for its comprehensive approach to address priority health issues in the EAC region such as the control and prevention of infectious diseases, and pandemics and mother and child health.
EAC and Germany celebrated their 20th anniversary of development cooperation last month after holding successful Government Negotiations at the EAC Headquarters. Health is one of the two focal areas of the two sides, the other being Regional Economic and Social Integration.
Germany development cooperation, through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has to date contributed to regional integration in East Africa through a variety of programmes and projects in these areas. With the new commitments signed today, Germany's funding for Technical and Financial Cooperation with the EAC amounts to over US$350 million.
The Secretary General was accompanied by the Deputy Secretary General in charge of Political Federation, Mr. Charles Njoroge, Chef de Cabinet, Dr. James Njagu, and the Principal Legal Officer, Mr. Michel Ndayikengurukiye. From the German Embassy’s side, the Head of Regional Cooperation, Ms Norzin Grigoleit-Dagyab, and Political Officer Pamela Kanora were present as well as Ms Annika Calov, KfW Country Director to Tanzania and the EAC, and Pascal Kanyinyi, KfW’s Senior Project Coordinator Health.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 30thOctober, 2018: A four-week long practical Training of Trainers (ToTs) course involving twelve (12) medical laboratory experts from the EAC Partner States’ National Public Health Reference Laboratories (NPHLs), concluded on Friday, 26thOctober, 2018 at the Bernharfd Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) Headquarters in Hamburg, Germany.
The training was conducted from 1stto 26thOctober 2018 and focused on the assembly, operation, use and field deployment of the nine High Technology EAC Mobile Medical Laboratory equipment, reagents and supplies for the early detection and diagnosis of various highly infections biological agents such as the various Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs), namely: Ebola, Marburg, Crimean-Congo Fever, Yellow Fever, among others which are endemic in East and Central Africa.
Currently, the EAC with technical and financial support from Germany through the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the German Development Bank (KfW) and the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) is implementing the“East African Community Regional Network of Mobile Medical Reference Laboratories for Communicable Diseases Project.”In 2016, Germany committed an initial three-year funding of Euro 10 Million for the project. Negotiations are currently underway for additional funding of Euro 13 Million for the year 2020 and beyond.
The main objective of the EAC Mobile Medical Laboratories Project is tostrengthen capacities in all six EAC Partner States to respond to pathogens of biosafety level 3 and 4 nature and other outbreaks of highly infectious diseases that are prone to cause cross-border epidemics by rapid mobile diagnostic capacities that enable timely interventions through joint collaboration, linkages and cross-border networking among the National Public Health Reference Laboratories (NPHLs) in each of the EAC Countries. The participating NPHLs in the Partner States are: Institut National de Santé Publique (INSP), Burundi; National Public Health Laboratory Services, Kenya; National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Rwanda; Public Health Laboratory and National Blood Transfusion Centre, South Sudan; National Health Laboratory Quality Assurance and Training Centre (NHLQATC), Tanzania and Central Public Health Laboratories (CPHL), Uganda.
In addition, the EAC Mobile Laboratories Project has broad actions that include the training of various health and medical laboratory technical experts on the early detection and diagnosis of highly infectious pathogens and exchange of knowledge among Partner States at regional, national and sub-national levels, including joint disease outbreak investigations and response in cross-border areas.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 12th October, 2018: The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat is intensifying preparedness efforts against outbreaks of infectious diseases in the region. “The world continues to be challenged by public health threats like the current Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo which are prone to crossing borders and threatening lives and livelihoods and the economy as a whole”, said Frederik Copper of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva at an EAC stakeholder meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. It was therefore important to exercise, practice and plan to build capacity for better outbreak preparedness and response. The stakeholder meeting took place at the International Center for Insect Ecology and Physiology (icipe) on 11-12 October 2018. It kicked off the preparation for a cross-border field simulation exercise in Namanga in June 2019. “The EAC Secretariat will convene the exercise under the directive of the Sectoral Council of Ministers of Ministers of Health”, says Andrew Charles, EAC Health Department.
The simulation will take place around the One Stop Border Post between Kenya and Tanzania and involve the EAC Partner States of Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda. It will be facilitated by WHO as the lead agency and stage a One Health scenario that involves different sectors of society. The approach includes all stakeholders which are affected by an outbreak or can contribute to preparedness, response and mitigation. It reflects the fact that most outbreaks are of a zoonotic nature meaning that they can be transmitted between humans and animals.
The exercise is being planned at a time where the region is under threat of the current Ebola virus disease outbreak close to the border with Uganda. By 9 October 2018 the number of cases was at 188 and 119 people had died of the disease.
Stakeholders from various sectors in Kenya and Tanzania as well as from regional and international organisations participated in the meeting including agriculture and livestock, trade, tourism, environment, the border post and airports, immigration, business, military and police forces. Furthermore, there were representatives from the Namanga community, farmers, traders and religious leaders.
The EAC Secretariat urged participants to prepare for the field simulation exercise through sensitization on existing contingency plans and training of staff on the ground and to contribute to mobilising the necessary resources for pandemic preparedness.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 5th October, 2018: The East African Community (EAC) Partner States have intensfied efforts for preparedness and response following the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In a two day joint technical meeting involving the EAC Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) and the DRC held on 2nd and 3rd october 2018 in Entebbe, Uganda, all states reported a high alert position.
In the meeting, which was organised by the EAC Secretariat with support from various partners, the EAC Acting Head of Health, Dr. Michael Katende observed that the risk of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) for EAC Partner States was real and high. The Risk of EVD outbreak is hightened especially for those Partner States that share the border with DRC due to high of volume of people moving across the borders for trade and other reasons, but also due to the high Influx of refugees, into the EAC region.
At the meeting, the DRC was represented by a 12 man delegation, with a wealth of experience.
The meeting discussed the strengthenining of cross border disease surveillence and emergency preparedness and response. The meeting noted that the current outbreak in Beni town of the DRC was closer to Uganda’s border hence more efforts for active surveillance. Key to sucess of the efforts employed so far is that there were no confirmed cases of EVD in any of the EAC Partner States.
According to the delegation from DRC and World Health Organisation (WHO), the current EVD outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in DRC was escalated by worsening insecurity, mistrust from affected communities, and extension into previously unaffected areas. As of 2ndOctober 2018, a total of 161 case had been reported, 129 confirmations and a case fatality rate of 57%.
All EAC Partner States at the meeting are currently on a high alert following the July 28th announcement of EVB outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces by WHO, and have undertaken various preparedness and response activities in case of an outbreak. All countries have undertaken evaluation of their national contigency plans for outbreak response and the capacities to implement them, activated emergency coordination structures with Rapid Response Teams (RRT) at all levels to monitor and respond in case of an outbreak. Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) have also been established to support the structures.
The staff managing the EOC and RRT have been trained and provided with appropriate equipment to detect and manage the outbreaks. Ambulances for patient transportation, sample storage and transportation, isolation/quarantine facilities, treatment facilities following International Health Regulations (IHR) have also been put in place.
Further the EAC Partner States and DRC have continued to build capacity of frontline health workers in high risk districts, including comunity health workers and security personnel.
In an effort to detect and quickly respond to an outbreak, the EAC Partner States have mapped areas, which have been categorised as High, Medium or Low risk and respoense mechanisms have been put in place. These include among others; Airports, crossborder entry and exit points and high economic activity areas like markets.
Border entry screening at all major border points in all high-risk districts have also been established. High and medium risk areas are being given special attention in terms of training of staff, supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), continuious screening among others. Using volunteers, and infrared thermometers, everyone crossing into Uganda from DRC is screened for body temperature. Those found with high temperature are further screened for Ebola-like symptoms.
On average, the busy border screening points receive 5,000 people, however during market days, the number grows tremendously; for instance, Mpondwe border point registers over 20,000 people during the market days - every Tuesday and Friday.
With support from WHO, the Republics of Uganda and Rwanda have also considered and plan to use of the Ebola Zaire Vaccine, specifically targeting frontline health workers who are managing the situation.
While the Republic of Burundi has employed using Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits (RDTs) to screen/test for EVD. The Republic of South Sudan (RSS) has made arrangements to refer samples to Uganda Virus Research Institute(UVRI) for testing.
In preparation for any suspected case, Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) have also been set up at Bundibugyo General Hospital, Bwera Hospital in Kasese, Rwebisengo Health Center in Ntoroko district and another is under construction at Naguru Friendship Hospital in Kampala.
These are fully equipped and on standby to manage any alert or suspect or confirmed case.
Risk communication and community engagement are also ongoing. Teams are engaged in door to door visits and distribution of Information Education Communication (IEC) material. Further to this, messages are also running on TV and radio to reach the wider public within and outside the high-risk districts.
The Public is urged to be on high alert too by observing a high sense of personal hygiene, avoid overcrowded places, direct contact with other people and to report cases of high temprature and bleeding from ears, nostrils and mouth to the nearest health facilities.
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For more information please contact: Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs; Tel: +255 784 835021; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, 14th September, 2018: More than 100 EAC experts, citizens and guests gathered in Arusha on 4-5 September 2018 as part of a table top exercise (TTX) to identify opportunities for improvement in emergency preparedness and response. A TTX is a role-playing activity, which uses a fictitious story to test processes and mechanisms during an emergency.
In the TTX, the fictitious story focused on an imaginary outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) on the border of Kenya and Tanzania. In addition to Kenyan and Tanzanian representatives, three of six EAC Partner States – Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda – participated as observers.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) facilitated the exercise, with support from the government of Germany through the Deutsche Gesellschaft fürInternationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
Rift Valley Fever is a disease that impacts both animals and humans, and thus requires a “One Health” approach, which integrates both human health and animal health expertise. The “One Health” approach acknowledges and respects the connection between the health of humans, animals, and the environment.
“The TTX was particularly timely, as our region is frequently impacted by outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever and other diseases of animal origin – including Ebola,” said Dr. Michael Katende of the EAC Secretariat. “The Secretariat honors the dedication of all in involved in “One Health” and the TTX, as we work together to address our shared regional concerns.”
The TTX provided an opportunity to train participants on their roles and responsibilities in preparedness and response – including risk and crisis communication, stakeholder coordination, logistics, management, and leadership.
The meeting attracted some 100 representatives from EAC Partner States, including Ministries of East African Affairs, Health, Agriculture, Tourism, and the Environment. The attendees included representatives from the military, tourism and trade, business, human and animal health, public medical facilities, Ports of Entry, communities, religious leaders and media.
External participants came from regional and international organisations, including the African Union, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO/ECTAD), the German Federal Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Research on Animal Health, KfW/Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), One Health Central and Southern Africa (OHCEA) and Public Health England (PHE).
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Technology can bolster access, use and improve performance of health services in EAC
Executive Secretary of the East Africa Health Research Commission to speak at the 3rd 3rd East Africa Business and Entrepreneurship Conference & Exhibition
Arusha, Tanzania: 12th September, 2018: A prosperous and healthy region is one where each EAC Partner State can participate fully in trade and industry within an environment which sustains and nourishes its people, free of health threats and capable of providing universal care to all.
Porous borders and the fluid movement of people underscore the need for a regional approach to tracking and responding to regional health priority needs while laying the groundwork for a robust and sustainable regional economy. Technology can help to strengthen regional health systems by bolstering the access, use, and improve performance of health services.
The 3rd East Africa Business and Entrepreneurship Conference & Exhibition will have multiple sessions including a jointly organised health session by East Africa Business Council (EABC) and East African Health Platform (EAHP).
Prof. Gibson Kibiki, Executive Secretary, East Africa Health Research Commission (EAHRC) is one of the key high level policy decision makers expected to speak during the sector session on health at the 3rd East African Business & Entrepreneurship Conference & Exhibition. The conference is scheduled to take place on 30th -31st October in Kampala, Uganda.
Prof. Kibiki will shed light on the Digital Regional East African Community Health (Digital REACH) Initiative.“Digital Regional East African Community Health is a ground-breaking initiative within the East African Community (EAC) that will implement ICT across all dimensions of the health sector in East Africa” said Prof. Gibson Kibiki, EAHRC Executive Secretary.
Other key industry champions expected lead discussions and identify missing links to promote an enabling environment for digital health in the EAC include Dr Amit Thakker, Chairman, East African Health Platform, Anne Therese Ndong-Jatta Director, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and Dr Roger Ciza Executive Director, Health Healing Network Burundi.
This year’s East African Business and Entrepreneurship Conference and Exhibition will focus on the Digital Economy and evaluate how the EAC policies and regulatory frameworks are currently set to spur growth and enhance the Integration process.
“An important dimension and benefit of creating an enabling environment for digital health in the EAC is in stimulating private-sector investment.” said Prof. Gibson Kibiki, EAHRC Executive Secretary.
Private sector can play an important role in addressing complex, systemic challenges complementing government efforts.
“Tackling issues such as policies, infrastructure and making a clear business case for partnerships and investment can help bring the influence and strength of the private sector to invest in digital health,” said Ms. Lilian Awinja, EABC CEO.
The conference sector session and parallel exhibition will showcase investment opportunities in the region as well as innovative market developments in the areas of Internet of Things, energy, agri-business, health, mobility, fin-tech and e-commerce.
About East African Business and Entrepreneurship Conference and Exhibition
The East African Business & Entrepreneurship Conference & Exhibition is an annual event rotating in all Partner States of the East African Community (EAC), co-organized in collaboration with the respective EAC Investment Promotion Authorities. The first East African Business & Entrepreneurship Conference & Exhibition was successfully held in October 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya while the second took place in November 2017 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The conference aims to enhance policy predictability, increase business confidence, nature entrepreneurship, innovation and attract more cross border and foreign direct investments into the EAC region. It convenes together high-level government and private sector decision makers from the EAC Partner States, entrepreneurs and investors from the region and abroad to discuss policies and legislations as well as chart out appropriate recommendations in a bid to improve the EAC business environment. Visit: http://eabc-online.com/entrepreneurship/
About East African Business Council
The East African Business Council (EABC) is the regional apex body of Private Sector associations and Corporates from the 6 East African Countries. It was established in 1997 to foster the interests of the Private Sector in the Integration process of the East African Community. Being the representative of Private Sector associations in the region, EABC was granted observer status in organs and activities of the East African Community (EAC). EABC therefore participates in various sectoral meetings, meetings of the Coordination Committee, the EAC Council of Ministers, and the Summit of the EAC Heads of State; with a view to ensure, that the agenda of the Private Sector is well articulated and received by the policy makers.
Vision: Borderless East Africa for business and investment.
Mission: To promote sustainable Private Sector-driven growth.
For more information about EABC, visit www.eabc.info.
About East African Health Platform
East African Health Platform (EAHP) is an advocacy forum for Private Sector Organizations (PSOs), Civil Society organizations CSOs), Faith Based Organizations FBOs) and other interest groups working on health in East Africa. It was founded in 2012 subsequent to the approval of the dialogue framework between PSOs, CSOs and the East African Community (EAC). Its mandate is to provide the space, be the voice, and representative of PSOs, CSOs, FBOs, and other Interest Groups of East Africa to effectively drive sustainable health, development and growth in the region.
Vision: A healthy and productive population which enjoys quality and affordable health care within EAC region.
Mission: To coordinate and facilitate CSOs, PSOs, FBOs, and other Interest Groups in improving the regions health through promoting pro-growth policies and appropriate legislation.
Patrick Moshi, Communication, PR and Advocacy East African Business Council (EABC) Cell+255 758 489761; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;
East African Community Secretariat, Arusha, Tanzania, 11 June, 2018:
The EAC region is taking action to prevent future outbreaks of infectious diseases by strengthening its response capacity, supporting Partner States in their pandemic preparedness measures and preparing to test its readiness in practice. These efforts are in line with a new World Health Organization (WHO) guidance document that lists 5 out of the 6 East African Community (EAC) Partner States as priority countries regarding the risk of a spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In its “Regional Strategic EVD Readiness Preparedness Plan”, WHO ranked Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania as priority 2 and Uganda as priority 3 countries. The ratings are determined based on the countries’ proximity to DRC and the capacity of their health systems to cope with an Ebola outbreak. EAC Partner States share borders with the DRC, maintain direct flights and close trade relations and there is high border traffic. These factors have caused the EAC to be on high alert, and Partner States are implementing extensive readiness measures. To date, no cases of Ebola have been detected in the EAC region.
EAC preventive activities cover key technical areas listed in WHO’s new EVD Readiness Plan, such as multi-sectoral coordination, risk communications, social mobilisation and community engagement. The EAC has a regional contingency plan in place that reflects the multi-disciplinary One Health disease management approach and is currently developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to translate the plan into action. The plan considers important lessons learned from East African experts who fought Ebola in West Africa. One of these lessons is that risk and crisis communication together with community engagement was a “game changer” in the response. Consequently, the EAC Secretariat together with the Partner States is currently developing a regional risk and crisis communication strategy and related SOPs.
Standard operating procedures will also be developed as a first step towards establishing a regional pool of rapidly deployable experts that build on the experience gathered in West Africa. The pool is expected to complement national rapid response teams during future outbreaks. A core team of multi-disciplinary experts will receive training in risk and crisis communication, and another core team will be trained as regional trainers in rapid risk assessment.
To test the successful implementation of the mentioned strategies, the functionality of the SOPs and the region’s improved capacities, the EAC together with the Partner States is preparing to conduct cross-border simulation exercises. They will also offer a unique opportunity to reveal the gaps that still need to be closed in joint efforts.
On behalf of the German Government, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the “Support to Pandemic Preparedness in the EAC Region” project amongst other development partners supports the EAC Secretariat in its endeavour to strengthen its advisory and coordinating role for the Partner States in pandemic preparedness.
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For more information, please contact:
Mr Owora Richard Othieno Head, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Department EAC Secretariat Arusha, Tanzania Tel: +255 784 835021 Email: OOthieno [at] eachq.org
About the East African Community Secretariat:
The East African Community (EAC) is a regional intergovernmental organisation of five Partner States, comprising Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The EAC Secretariat is ISO 9001:2008 Certified
Othieno Richard Owora
Principle Corporate and Communications Officer
East African Community Secretariat
Tel: +255 27 2162 100
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
