Ebola in Africa: Tebboune calls for resilient health systems before the next crisis

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune urged African nations to invest structurally in resilient health systems, emphasizing that preparedness for crises like Ebola must begin long before outbreaks occur. Speaking at a high-level African Union meeting, Tebboune, represented by his Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Aït Messaoudène, advocated for sustainable investment in health security, enhanced surveillance, and the development of skilled human resources.

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Building a safer Africa on a health level is not only achieved during crises, but begins with sustainable investment in health systems, strengthening surveillance and early warning capabilities, developing qualified human resources, and supporting scientific research and local production of health products and vaccines.

"Building a safer Africa on a health level is not only achieved during crises, but begins with sustainable investment in health systems," Tebboune stated. He stressed the importance of early warning capabilities, scientific research, and local production of health products and vaccines. His message echoed repeated warnings from the World Health Organization's Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who consistently highlights the need for permanent health infrastructure in every country, contrasting it with the world's tendency for short-term pandemic responses.

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The world continues to respond to pandemics with short-term measures, when permanent health infrastructures should be in place in every country.

Beyond declarations, Algeria offered concrete support, extending its technical expertise through its Ministry of Health and the National Health Security Agency. This offer aims to share Algeria's experiences with fellow African nations to bolster collective capacity in facing health risks. The initiative comes as parts of Central and East Africa are grappling with active Ebola outbreaks, underscoring the urgency of strengthening continental health security measures.

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Algeria reiterates its full availability, in addition to its financial contribution, to provide technical support through the Ministry of Health and the National Health Security Agency, in order to share its expertise and experiences with brotherly African countries, in the interest of the peoples of our continent and to strengthen our collective capacity to face health risks.