Adelard Kakunze

Day Two at @spekeresort: Advancing Africa’s Coordinated Response to Sickle Cell Disease. Leading experts, policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates from across the continent have convened to validate a Continental Plan for Sickle Cell Disease, a critical step toward a more coordinated, equitable, and sustainable response in Africa. The plan aims to strengthen political commitment, mobilize resources, improve access to quality care, and enhance the management of Sickle Cell Disease across African countries. This gathering reflects a shared continental resolve to transform outcomes for millions affected by Sickle Cell Disease and to drive long-term, people-centered health solutions for Africa. @GCICUganda @MinofHealthUG @GCICUganda @DailyMonitor @MugenyiHenry_ @health_hca @AfricaCDC @novonordiskfond @novonordisk @bayloruganda @bmsnews @_AfricanUnion @olaro_charles @DianaAtwine @burundi_30

I also recommend to join these sessions at @WorldHealthSmt #WHSRM20216: 1. Join Dr @burundi_30 on 27Apr. 1530-1700 2. Join Dr @WandeAlimi on 28Apr. 0930-1100 3. Join Ms. #InasAbdelwahed on 28Apr. 1700-18:30 #YESHealth #AHSS #YouthLeadershipInHealth

Addis Ababa is more than a capital. It is a vision in motion, a gateway to Ethiopia’s future! As the beating heart of a rapidly transforming nation, Addis Ababa embodies our bold ambition for inclusive and forward-looking urbanisation. We are building not only for today, but for generations to come by expanding modern infrastructure, advancing smart city solutions, creating inclusive housing, and championing sustainable growth. Across Ethiopia, our cities are being shaped to empower people, unlock potential, and secure lasting prosperity. Ours is a nation where progress and heritage stand side by side. Where ancient civilisations inspire modern achievement. Where investors discover vast, untapped opportunity across diverse sectors and regions. From the streets of Addis Ababa to the farthest reaches of our country, Ethiopia stands ready, resilient, dynamic, and open for business. As the diplomatic capital of Africa, Addis Ababa connects the world to a rising continent. It positions Ethiopia as a strategic gateway to African markets and a hub for global partnership. Yet Ethiopia offers more than opportunity. It offers discovery. The future is being built here. Invest in Ethiopia. Explore Ethiopia. Grow with Ethiopia.

For too long, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, mental health conditions, and road injuries have grown into some of the continent’s leading causes of death and disability, without receiving the policy attention they demand. African Heads of State have now taken an important step to change that. The @_AfricanUnion Common Position on NCDs, injuries, and mental health places these issues at the centre of Africa’s development, economic, and health security agenda, not as secondary concerns, but as priorities requiring whole-of-government action. Africa CDC’s correspondence in The Lancet Group outlines what this landmark commitment means and what implementation must deliver for communities across the continent. The commitment is clear. The priority now is implementation. 👉 Read more below: thelancet.com/journals/lance… #HealthSecurity

A major step forward for Africa’s public health systems. Africa CDC, in collaboration with African Union Member States and partners, officially launched the SPARK–NCD Programme in Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania — a flagship continental initiative to strengthen surveillance, intelligence, and response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The programme will support Member States to strengthen surveillance systems for NCDs, injuries, and mental health; build a skilled public health workforce; integrate NCD data into national decision-making; and advance integrated, people-centred care. The launch also built on evidence from Tanzania and Uganda showing that integrated HIV and NCD services can be safe, equitable, cost-effective, and improve access without compromising outcomes. Africa CDC remains committed to working with Member States and partners to advance resilient, data-driven, and integrated public health systems across the continent. #NCDs #HealthSecurity

First countries to start #Rwanda, #Tanzania and #Zambia

#PublicHealth in action

Call for applications: Mental Health Leadership & Advocacy Course Under Africa CDC’s Mental Health Leadership Programme (MHLP) 20 April–1 May 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya Application deadline: 27 February 2026 Scholarships available. Apply: forms.gle/GvhGGYpWooUT4o… #MentalHealth #AfricaCDC

En 1973, huit personnes parfaitement saines sont entrées dans des hôpitaux psychiatriques aux États-Unis 🇺🇸. Aucune d’entre elles n’était malade. Personne à l’intérieur ne s’en est rendu compte. 🧠 Ce n’était pas un accident. C’était une expérience conçue par le psychologue David Rosenhan pour répondre à une question troublante : Les professionnels peuvent-ils réellement distinguer la santé mentale de la maladie mentale ? Pour le découvrir, Rosenhan a recruté huit personnes ordinaires. Un peintre. Une femme au foyer. Un pédiatre. Un étudiant en master. Ils ont menti sur une seule chose : Ils ont dit entendre des voix. Trois mots seulement : « Vide », « Creux », « Boum ». Cela a suffi. Les huit ont été admis. Dès leur entrée à l’hôpital, ils ont arrêté de faire semblant. Ils ont eu un comportement normal. Ils ont coopéré. Ils ont demandé à sortir. 🚪 Cela n’a jamais marché. Chaque comportement normal a été réinterprété comme un symptôme. Écrire des notes devenait un comportement obsessionnel. Attendre calmement était vu comme une recherche pathologique d’attention. La politesse devenait un comportement contrôlé, typique de la maladie. Sept ont été diagnostiqués schizophrènes. Un autre a été diagnostiqué maniaco-dépressif. Aucun membre du personnel n’a identifié ces personnes comme étant saines. Mais les patients, eux, l’ont fait. De vrais patients les ont approchés et leur ont chuchoté : « Vous n’êtes pas comme les autres. Vous n’avez rien à faire ici. » Ceux qu’on considérait comme malades ont vu ce que les professionnels formés ne voyaient pas. La durée moyenne de leur hospitalisation a été de 19 jours. L’un d’eux est resté 52 jours. ⏳ Chaque jour passait et renforçait cette vérité : Une fois qu’une étiquette est posée, la réalité n’a plus d’importance. Quand Rosenhan a publié son article On Being Sane in Insane Places (« Être sain d’esprit dans des lieux insensés »), le monde psychiatrique a explosé. Un hôpital a lancé un défi : envoyez-nous de nouveaux faux patients, nous saurons les repérer. Rosenhan a accepté. Durant les mois suivants, cet hôpital a identifié 41 prétendus imposteurs. Rosenhan n’avait envoyé personne. Pas une seule personne. La conclusion était inévitable. Le diagnostic ne reposait pas toujours sur des faits, mais sur le contexte et les attentes. Cette expérience a brisé la confiance aveugle dans les étiquettes cliniques, et a forcé de profonds changements dans la manière de diagnostiquer et traiter les maladies mentales. Mais sa leçon la plus profonde reste encore aujourd’hui inconfortable : 👉 La perception peut déformer la réalité bien plus que la folie elle-même. 👉 Et parfois, l’illusion la plus dangereuse est celle de ceux qui croient ne jamais se tromper. #kebetu #psychologie #santémentale #science ⸻ Lu pour vous

Call for applications @AfricaCDC invites applications for the Mental Health Leadership & Advocacy Course, delivered under its Mental Health Leadership Programme (MHLP), aimed at strengthening leadership and advocacy capacity for mental health across African Union Member States. Scholarships are available. Application deadline: 31 January 2026 Apply here: forms.gle/4m7paNG7xEVFuU… #AfricaCDC #MentalHealth #HealthLeadership #MHLP

AFENET on behalf of @AfricaCDC calls for applications for the following vacant post: Job Title: Senior Microbiologist Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Division of Laboratory Systems and Networks, Africa CDC) Application Deadline: 17:30 HRS (EAT) on December 5, 2025, via bit.ly/4ifLPn8

As we mark the first Cervical Cancer Elimination day of action….#ActNow

Day 3 at #CPHIA2025 is packed with powerful conversations shaping Africa’s health future! From #MentalHealth and #ClimateResilience to #HealthFinancing, #LocalManufacturing, and #DigitalHealth, today’s side events highlight African-led solutions driving lasting change. 📅 24 October 2025 📍 Durban, South Africa 🔗 Explore the full programme: cphia2025.com/programme #AfricaCDC #NewPublicHealthOrder

Africa’s surveillance systems for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), injuries, and mental health remain fragmented and under-resourced, limiting effective policy action. To help bridge this gap, @AfricaCDC has developed a set of core continental NCD, Injury, and Mental Health (NCDIMH) surveillance indicators and accompanying metadata sheets to support harmonised, evidence-based data collection across Member States. Pilot testing in Kenya demonstrated their feasibility and applicability across different levels of the health system — a key milestone in operationalising Africa’s continental NCDIMH surveillance framework and strengthening data-driven public health systems. #NewPublicHealthOrder

As we reflect on #WorldMentalHealthDay, @AfricaCDC reaffirms that mental health is essential to public health and fundamental to human dignity. Across the continent, countries are working to reform outdated laws and strengthen mental health systems, ensuring that care protects the rights, inclusion, and well-being of all people. Together with @_AfricanUnion Member States and global partners, Africa CDC is advancing efforts to integrate mental health into national health priorities, building systems that leave no one behind. 💚 There is no health without mental health. #AfricaCDC #NewPublicHealthOrder

One of the best gifts science has produced for girls is the HPV vaccine. When I think about my daughter or granddaughters, I think about ways to provide them with a better future - peaceful and healthy. #CervicalCancer is a disease we can eliminate. Today on #DayOfTheGirl, I’m reminding parents, governments and manufacturers that the power lies in our hands to protect every single girl from this deadly disease. Let’s step up!

@Bonario5123410 @AfricaCDC All courses are posted via @AfricaCDC. Next one: March–April 2026. Stay tuned.

@AfricaCDC How can I enrol into Africa CDC mental health leadership program?

Are you a graduate or fellow of the Africa CDC Mental Health Leadership Programme (MHLP)? Here’s your chance to showcase how your work is transforming mental health across Africa. ✅ Submit a short video (max 3 mins) or a 1-page inspirational story highlighting your initiative, impact, or community engagement in mental health. 🗓 Deadline: 19 October 2025 🔗 Apply here: ow.ly/RqQm50Xai7X #AfricaCDC

This World Mental Health Day, we reaffirm that mental health is essential to Africa’s health and development. In this message, @Dr_JeanKaseya, Director-General of @AfricaCDC, highlights the importance of making mental health a public health priority across the continent. Countries like #EquatorialGuinea are taking bold steps to strengthen mental health systems and community care. Together, under the New Public Health Order, we’re building resilient, people-centred health systems where mental health is for all. #WorldMentalHealthDay #AfricaCDC #NewPublicHealthOrder

On this World Mental Health Day, @AfricaCDC joins the global community to reaffirm that caring for both body and mind is central to saving lives. Across Africa, we’re integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into emergency preparedness and response — training experts, supporting Member States, and ensuring that no one faces trauma or loss alone. Happy International World Mental Health Day! #WorldMentalHealthDay