Side Events

Decolonizing Global Health
Hosted by Chatham House
13 December, 8:00 – 10:00 AM EAT

In a time when there is the need to reform global health and build an equity-focused agenda, Chatham House and the PANDORA initiative event during the CPHIA 2021 brings practical perspectives on the decolonization of global health by exploring and discussing strategies to reform the global health system. Register here.


Findings from the Mental Health and Wellness (MEHEWE) Study
Hosted by University of Southern California
13 December, 10:00 AM EAT

In this CPHIA 2021 side event, MEHEWE study team leaders will describe the genesis, approach, and methods of a global collaborative study to document the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and wellness. They will present findings from published data as well as works in progress. Some of the data based presentations will focus on analyses restricted to specific regions while other presentations will focus on findings using the full global dataset. Register here.


Update on latest data and programmatic roll out of Janssen COVID-19
Hosted by Johnson & Johnson
13 December, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM EAT

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on all of us. The development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a very short time has given us all hope. The Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 (Ad26.COV2.S) vaccine, which was granted emergency use listing (EUL) status by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 12 March 2021, is a single shot vaccine compatible with existing cold chain facilities in our region. Since then, there has been an incremental roll-out and access in various AU member states. Please join this session to learn clinical and programmatic roll-out information related to the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Register here.


Leveraging digital solutions to support the fight against HIV/AIDS in the pandemic era and beyond
Hosted by Bohemian Smartlytics
13 December, 2:00 – 4:00 PM EAT (session 1) & 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EAT (session 2)

There is an unmet need for a user-friendly system to support HIV/AIDS practitioners. Therefore, SmartHIV Solution is developed to bring all stakeholder’s perspective into one collaborative platform and achieve outcomes that matters for the fight against HIV/AIDS, such as reducing HIV stigma and discrimination, improve health outcomes, prevent new infections, establish needs of HIV services and programs, and many more. In each of the sessions, we will be demonstrating the features of each of the components and a panel discussion on how this digital innovation can be implemented in routine clinical practice and policy developments. Register here for session 1 and register here for session 2.


Role of National Public Health Institutes in Pandemic Preparedness and Response: Lessons from COVID-19
Hosted by Africa CDC
13 December, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM EAT

This session will cover key topics: Role of NPHIs in immunizing 900 million people in Africa against COVID-19; reimagining pandemic response in the 21st century; using behavioural science and social media to support Pandemic Response; and data for public health actions. Event link.


Networks and Partnership in LMICs: Building Reciprocal Global Health Partnerships
Hosted by University of Toronto and Moi University
13 December, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EAT

In this session, members at Moi School of Public Health, Moi University, Kenya, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto will share their approach to building, strengthening and sustaining authentic and reciprocal partnerships between HIC and LMIC academic institutions. This session is an opportunity for participants to discuss and share concrete actions in research, education and practice that support reciprocal and equitable global health partnerships. Webinar link. (Passcode: 682574)


African Women leaders in public health, a view through the historical lens
Hosted by Africa CDC
13 December, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM EAT

Despite making up over 70% of the health care workforce, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership across all health systems. This is even more starkly observed in the public health system across Africa where all except two of the African public health institutions are led by men. The modern era discussions about the role of women in leaders in Africa and in the health system specifically is considered to be at an earlier phase than in the global north. Many are of the view that women leadership is not a ‘cultural norm’ across the African continent. This side event wishes to address these perceptions by taking a historical view of the role of women in leadership in Africa and to reflect on the role of women leaders in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and on the basis of the past and the present to project towards the role of women as leaders in the public health system in the future. Register here.


Prepared to Respond: COVID-19 Lessons for the Next Health Emergency (P2RF)
Hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Dalberg, Pandemic Action Network and Resolve to Save Lives
14 December, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM EAT

This side event, organized by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will highlight that a collaborative, equitable and sustainable global effort rooted in solidarity is needed to address this pandemic and prevent future ones. A series of panel discussions, hosted by Dalberg, Pandemic Action Network and Resolve to Save Lives, will explore three key pillars that determine our ability to prepare and respond to future emergencies: 1) the financing of global preparedness; 2) regional and global collaborative platforms to support country preparedness; and 3) the definition of a standardized global measure for outbreak response. Register here.


The State of UHC in Africa Report: Reflections on our progress and recommendations moving forward
Hosted by AMREF
14 December, 11:30 AM EAT

The session will bring together the AHAIC Commission on the State of UHC in Africa to discuss recommendations in their report. It will include the launch of tools developed from the report findings to support different stakeholders to enhance UHC policy dialogue, advance the recommendations of the report, and the platforms to action these recommendations collectively as a region, and individually as countries. The session will also discuss the approach to health system investments particularly in light of COVID-19. Register here.


Connecting Excellence in Data Science across Africa
Hosted by Global Health Network
14 December, 12:00 – 2:00 PM EAT

This session will be looking at a new dawn for data science. In order to better prevent, detect, and treat the health challenges that affect Africa we need to make far better use of health data.  Strengthening data science capabilities both maximises the benefit from valuable data, and addresses the global inequity that African nations experience in terms of benefiting from new evidence to tackle disease priorities.  Africa CDC is coordinating many African partners and networks that are working in a Global partnership to increase health research capacity and build science abilities. This is building on the long-standing work that The Global Health Network has been doing for over a decade across Africa to enable research to be undertaken in settings where experience is low. Now Africa CDC will be taking on the leadership of The Global Health Network in Africa and coordinating the strong sharing of know-how between different teams. Adding data science as a focus is an important opportunity, and this session will be a forum to discuss ideas, share progress and welcome new partners to this important new initiative. Register here.


Innovative Approaches and Partnerships to Address Current and Future Health Threats in Africa
Hosted by ICRC
14 December, 7:00 PM EAT

In times where the challenges to the health sector are complex and global value-chains unreliable, innovative approaches and partnerships are indispensable. This event co-organised by the ICRC and Africa CDC on Innovative Approaches and Partnerships to Address Current and Future Health Threats in Africa provides the space for health responders, policymakers, humanitarian organizations and other stakeholders to discuss health response challenges in context of humanitarian settings and share developments in technologies and innovations to accelerate efforts to strengthen national health systems and service provision. Register here.


No community left behind! Charting a truly African, inclusive and accountable response to COVID-19
Hosted by The African Alliance
14 December, 7:00 – 8:30 PM EAT

The African Alliance in this session discusses on why communities must remain at the center of any public health intervention. At the height of one of the most devastating public health challenges of our time, communities and civil society have continued to call for accountability, transparency, and meaningful engagement. With powerful civil society voices from across the African continent, this session will reflect on the challenges faced and gains made in 2021, while highlighting key advocacy opportunities and threats on the horizon for 2022. Register here.


The Role Of Youth In Primary Healthcare During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Hosted by The AfroPHC Youth Hub
15 December, 8:00 – 10:30 AM EAT

During the session, AfroPHC will discuss best practices on how youth can build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled: what worked, what could be improved and the roadmap to the future. Register here.


Africa Leadership on a New Global Public Health Convention
Hosted by AIDS Healthcare Foundation
15 December, 8:00 – 10:30 AM EAT

COVID-19 has demonstrated that African leaders must take charge of responding to pandemics on the continent, because support from the Global North can be unreliable and slow during global health crises. In this virtual interactive session, hosted by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, leading experts and public figures will discuss how leaders across the region can step up efforts to address significant gaps in global health governance, including inequitable vaccine access and production capacity, lack of consistency in travel and quarantine restrictions, and much more in the context of the ongoing and any future pandemics. Register here.


Respond, Recover, Reimagine​: Building equitable, resilient health systems in the context of COVID-19​ on the African continent
Hosted by Partners In Health
15 December, 8:00 AM EAT

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized a critical need to invest in health system strengthening as well as leverage global and regional collaboration for a rapid, effective and sustainable response not only for COVID-19 but also for present and future public health issues. The panel will discuss best practices through specific Partners In Health interventions in Rwanda, Liberia, Lesotho and Malawi on how to respond to COVID-19 pandemic while strengthening health systems through infrastructure support, supplies and equipment procurement to augment MOH capacity, laboratory capacity strengthening, training and ongoing mentorship, and health policy support. Register here.


COVID-19 in the CPLP Space: Impact, Experiences and Lessons
Hosted by High Commission for COVID-19 of Guinea-Bissau/CPLP
15 December, 2:00 – 4:00 PM EAT

Event Link.


Vaccine Research, Development and Manufacturing in Africa: lessons learnt from COVID-19 pandemic
Hosted by CEPI
16 December, 9:00 AM EAT

In this session, CEPI will discuss their five-year strategic plan called CEPI 2.0 (2022-2026)  which covers; to Prepare for known epidemic and pandemic threats by building on COVID-19 achievements; Transform the response to the next novel threat; and Connect to enhance and expand global collaboration. Register here.


Strengthening innovation capacity for public health security in Africa during and beyond COVID-19 – lessons learnt from the local manufacturing of antimalarials
Hosted by MMV
16 December, 9:30 AM EAT

This panel discussion will present various experiences and highlight the progress made so far in the African manufacturing agenda. It will also discuss current challenges and propose measures that could address them. Opportunities for the regional expansion of successful approaches will equally be explored. Complementary perspectives from product development partnerships, industries, public health agencies and development partners will similarly be brought in. Register here.


Between equity and vaccine acceptability: Changing perceptions of COVID and popular adherence to the AOC response
Hosted by Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) / ANRS Cameroun
16 December, 10:00 AM EAT

The trend nosological entity of COVID in our populations, in terms of its symptoms and its causes, seems to be similar in Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Cameroon. What seems to play particularly on the differences of opinion about the health response are our respective contexts, which influence in particular the care routes, as in Cameroon where the use of traditional medicine and the effectiveness of the natural immunity are promoted in rivalry with vaccination. The chronological framework of the events linked to the pandemic will allow us to present the epidemic narratives which are attached to it. Our team will show how these played in the level of adherence to the health response in their respective countries. We will see how the principle of vaccine equity on which the latter was based was not enough for satisfactory adherence despite the expectations in terms of Global Health. Register here.


Getting noma out of the neglect (screening and talk)
Hosted by MSF
16 December, 7:00 PM EAT

The side event ‘Getting noma out of the neglect’ is organised by Médecins Sans Frontières and a coalition of partners to raise the profile of a devastating disease which is totally preventable and treatable. After the screening of the documentary ‘Restoring Dignity’, a panel of experts will answer questions and discuss the way forward to prevent, treat and eliminate noma. Register here.


The Private Sector Roundtable (PSRT) on Global Health Security: The Private Sector’s Evolving Role in Health Emergencies
Hosted by Private Sector Roundtable (PSRT)
16 December, 7:00 – 8:00 PM EAT

“The Private Sector’s Evolving Role in Health Emergencies,” hosted by the Private Sector Roundtable (PSRT) on Global Health Security – a cross-industry coalition – will bring together leaders from the private sector and government to discuss the multi-sector collaboration required to prevent and respond to global health threats. A representative from the Uganda Ministry of Health will join PSRT members, including AstraZeneca, McCann Global Health, and Becton, Dickinson and Company, to discuss the importance of public-private partnerships in building workforce capacity and strengthening health system resiliency. The panel will discuss how companies across industries can work effectively with governments globally, regionally and nationally and collectively shift the damaging cycle of panic and neglect that has had such a devastating impact on many African countries. Register here.


Covid-19 Vaccination Access and Monitoring: Lessons Learned from Kenya and Nigeria Side Event Synopsis
Hosted by University of Maryland
16 December, 7:00 PM EAT

Smaller countries in Africa are achieving higher rates of vaccination than those with larger populations where there are unique barriers to achieving high vaccination rates. This side event focuses on work done to increase access to vaccinations in two of the largest countries in Africa, Nigeria and Kenya, monitoring of the rollout of vaccines in these countries, and use of monitoring data to increase access to vaccinations. Presentation of this work will be followed by a facilitated discussion between the audience and panelists to answer questions, share experiences, and learn from challenges and best practices from other countries and programs. Register here.


Ebola Virus Disease Prevention and Control Through Vaccination in Africa: Where We Are and Where We Are Going
Hosted by Johnson & Johnson
16 December, 7:00 – 8:30 PM EAT

Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks are increasing in number and frequency. These outbreaks are associated with significant mortality, morbidity and detrimental effects on health systems. Join us for the Ebola Virus Disease Prevention and Control Through Vaccination in Africa session on Thursday 16th December to discuss programmatic implementation of Ebola vaccination in Africa in both outbreak and preventive contexts. Register here


Impact on science and education in capacity building in the development world
Hosted by TWAS: The World Academy of Sciences – for the advancement of science in developing countries; OWSD: The Organization for Women in science for the Developing World; IAP: InterAcademy Partnership
17 December, 9:00 – 11:00 AM EAT

This parallel session discusses the impact of Covid-19 on science and education in capacity building in the developing world based on experience of TWAS, OWSD, and IAP in the past biennium. The speakers will explore the impact of the pandemic on research in Africa, also looking specifically at how women scientists in the developing world have adapted, and finally providing an overview of how African academies responded, with a case-study from the Mauritius Academy of Science and Technology. Register here.


Evidence of genetic risk for HIV infection in Sub-Saharan Africa
Hosted by University of Botswana
17 December, 10:00 AM EAT

Is there a genetic explanation for the distribution of HIV infections around the world? The University of Botswana Studies suggest that nearly 60% of world HIV prevalence may be explained by expression of RHCE*C gene alone. Join them on the 17th December 2021 at 10:00hrs EAT as they present data from their multiple cohort studies at the side sessions of the first International Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2021). Event link (Password: 830582)


Addressing health workforces’ challenges in a changing health landscape
Hosted by Africa Europe Foundation
17 December, 10:00 – 11:30 AM EAT

Faced with growing shortages of healthcare workers, Africa must urgently develop a high-level skilled health workforce to build resilient healthcare systems. This parallel session will explore the issues of clinical and non-clinical workforce planning, brain drain and supporting the rapid start-up of manufacturing of pharmaceutical and medical products in Africa. Event link (passcode: 340334).


Resetting the unfinished agenda on the health of migrants for equitable Health system: focus on Preparedness and response
Hosted by IOM
17 December, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EAT

In a continent which had started the African free movement of persons and with the highest intra-continental movement including 80% of African moving into neighboring countries,  current preparedness and response plans are inadequate to address this element leading to further health inequality, heavier socio-economic burden. This can be addressed with tailored and innovative approaches to be better prepared. IOM had developed a framework and tools to strengthen health system and its resilience at cross-border and along mobility trajectory. Register here.


Thermostable dry powder vaccines that can be transported anywhere in the world with no cold chain required
Hosted by Ziccum
17 December, 12:00 – 1:00 PM EAT

In this session, the focus is on Ziccum’s patented technology LaminarPace air-dries liquid vaccines into powder vaccine, thus enabling vaccine manufacturers using the technology to sell vaccines in powder form. Dry powder vaccines would require no costly or energy intense refrigeration or cold storage infrastructure to be transported anywhere in the world. They could reach the remotest regions quickly and cost-effectively, enabling equitable vaccine access and decreasing the overall costs of vaccination. Register here.


A global pandemic: the need for localized response
Hosted by MSF
17 December, 12:00 – 1:00 PM EAT

Results of Covid seroprevalence studies done my Epicentre/MSF. Patients managed by MSF France in different contexts, by Dr Chritophe Mambula. Event link.


A functional and institutionalized national georeferenced CHW master list (CHWML)
Hosted by Community Health Impact Coalition
17 December, 2:00 PM EAT

Community Health Workers (CHWs) have been a cornerstone of health delivery across the globe for over a century. Unfortunately, this vital cadre is often not counted; this undermines health system planning and impedes CHWs’ provision of care. A functional and institutionalized national georeferenced CHW master list (CHWML) closes these gaps. Join this CPHIA side session to get a “sneak peak” of forthcoming international guidance on developing a national CHML. Register here.


The AFREhealth response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
Hosted by Afrehealth
17 December, 2:00 PM EAT

The event is designed to provide a platform to raise awareness among a broad group of stakeholders (state and non-state actors) on what the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) has done to strengthen Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic through health professions education and research that can then be scaled up, improved on, better understood in order to shape the COVID response in the African Region. Register here.


Hidden Suffering: Prioritizing Chronic Care in the COVID Era
Hosted by Helmsley
17 December, 3:00 PM EAT

Join the Helmsley Charitable Trust, the END fund, the NCDI Poverty Network and other partner organizations for a dynamic hourlong virtual event featuring an interactive moderated discussion with global health funders, leaders working on NCDs and NTDs in Africa, and advocates living with chronic conditions. Panelists will lay out today’s challenging landscape in the context of COVID-19, present key solutions to strengthen care, and discuss avenues for creating meaningful partnerships to transform the NCD landscape on the continent. Register here.


The role of Red Cross/Red Crescent Volunteers and Community Health Workers in epidemic/pandemic preparedness and control and bridging the last mile gap for essential health services continuity in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Hosted by IFRC
17 December, 5:00 – 6:30 PM EAT

The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the essential role of community health workers and volunteers in strengthening communities epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response. This session will enable to better understand the role of CHWs and Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers in community health systems strengthening and in the community response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the panel discussion there will be the opportunity to discuss on avenues to further strengthen and integrate community health systems based on CHWs and Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers. Register here.


French