Director, Center for Primary Health Care @AfricaCDC. #HealthSystems #Diplomacy #ChildRights #Leadership #SocialJustice
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Joined October 2012
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Transforming Primary Health Care (#PHC) Systems: A Priority for Africa's Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda.
I am delighted to share my recent conversation on the "On the Map with Global Health" podcast from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, where I discussed the transformative work we are leading at the Africa CDC's Center for Primary Health Care. This episode is a deep dive into my career in public health and the future of public health in Africa, a future we are actively building today.
I invite you to listen to the full episode, I talk about hope, innovation, and the vision of Africa CDC for PHC transformation as a vehicle for the #Africahealthsecurityandsovereignty.
My journey in public health began during the HIV pandemic in Cameroon. It was there I learned that clinical care alone is not enough; we need a comprehensive, multisectoral approach to address our greatest health challenges. This conviction has guided my career and is at the heart of my mission at the Africa CDC.
"Science without a moral compass is but a ruin of the soul." This powerful quote from Rabelais was a favorite of the late Dr. William H. Foege and is a constant reminder that our scientific and public health endeavors must be rooted in equity and justice. It is this moral clarity that also shapes Africa CDC's new agenda of "Africa Health Security and Sovereignty" - AHSS. The AHSS' 5 pillars form a roadmap for a self-reliant and resilient health system for our continent. We are moving away from dependency and towards a future where Africa controls its own health destiny.
"Data came out also clearly as an agenda of health sovereignty." Digital transformation is the engine driving this new era of public health in Africa. At Africa CDC, we are leveraging technology to accelerate PHC digitalisation from community level through health centers, feeding national and continent health intelligence to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable. By ensuring data sovereignty, we are asserting our position as an equal partner in the global health landscape, building systems that are responsive to the needs of our people and that protect the data of our 1.4 billion citizens.
I articulate why empowering and professionalizing the existing 1.04 million community health workers (CHWs) with the knowledge and tools they need to save lives is as important as achieving the 2 million CHW target by 2030.
"Nobody will be safe until everybody is safe." This has never been truer than it is today. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that global health security is a shared responsibility.
Africa is a vital partner in ensuring the health and security of the entire world. Our work at the Africa CDC is not just for Africa; it is for the benefit of all humanity.
#AHSS
#PrimaryHealthCare
#Digitalisation
#CommunityHealth
youtu.be/jxwwsUSBnvQ?si=4KsP…
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Today, I had an important meeting with H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, focused on our continental Ebola response and preparations for CPHIA 2026.
The Chairperson made a strong call for transparency, solidarity and coordinated continental action, with timely, collective decisions to contain the outbreak and protect our populations.
On 28 October, I will convene African Ministers of Health to advance our collective response. We are also calling on Ministers of Finance and Transport to join these discussions. The evolving situation demands coordinated decisions across sectors, stronger preparedness and the mobilisation of resources where they are most urgently needed.
We also discussed CPHIA 2026, taking place in Addis Ababa from 23–27 November, as a critical platform to translate political commitment into concrete action, strengthen partnerships and advance Africa’s health security and sovereignty agenda.
I thank the Chairperson for his leadership and continued support for Africa CDC.
This is a moment for African solidarity, decisive leadership and collective responsibility. Our decisions today will shape our continent’s ability to confront tomorrow’s health threats.
#AfricaCDC #AfricanUnion #CPHIA2026 #HealthSecurity
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
#Ebola #Nigeria
🇳🇬 Our solidarity with the people of Nigeria. As in Kenya, DRC and Uganda earlier this demands urgent and coordinated action.
This is a moment for collective mobilization, decisive action, and stronger African and global solidarity. #AfricaReady
EBOLA IN NIGERIA: AN URGENT CALL FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY
Today 20 October 2026, I spoke with the Nigerian Coordinating Minister of Health and Social welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who informed me of a confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo case in Nigeria. I commend his transparency and leadership. Early reporting saves lives.
When Africa CDC declared this Ebola outbreak on 15 May 2026, we warned of its regional dimension and implications.
This Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak has already become the most geographically widespread Ebola outbreak in history, affecting multiple countries across three regions of Africa.
With mortality approaching 50% in DRC, we face an extremely serious threat. Africa CDC has already begun mobilising support for Nigeria, while intensifying our response in DRC and Kenya and maintaining heightened vigilance in Uganda.
My appeal to the international community is urgent: ACT NOW.
We need immediate, flexible financing, medical supplies, diagnostics, trained responders and stronger community-based surveillance. We cannot allow this outbreak to spread to more countries or continue for another year.
Every day of delay costs lives. Africa’s health security is global health security. Stopping Ebola in Africa today means protecting the world. Nigeria has our full solidarity. Together, we must defeat this outbreak.
@AfricaCDC, @WHO, @WHOAFRO, @WorldBank, @gavi, @CEPIvaccines, @UNICEF, @NCDCgov, @African Union Commission, @Pandemic_Fund, @European Commission, @EU HERA, @US CDC, @UK FCDO, @Public Health Agency of Canada, @African Development Bank, @AfreximBank, @Gates Foundation, @Mastercard Foundation, @Wellcome, @UNOCHA, @IFRC
#AfricaReady #StopEbola #HealthSecurity
#Ebola #Nigeria
🇳🇬 Our solidarity with the people of Nigeria. As in Kenya, DRC and Uganda earlier this demands urgent and coordinated action.
This is a moment for collective mobilization, decisive action, and stronger African and global solidarity. #AfricaReady
EBOLA IN NIGERIA: AN URGENT CALL FOR GLOBAL SOLIDARITY
Today 20 October 2026, I spoke with the Nigerian Coordinating Minister of Health and Social welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who informed me of a confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo case in Nigeria. I commend his transparency and leadership. Early reporting saves lives.
When Africa CDC declared this Ebola outbreak on 15 May 2026, we warned of its regional dimension and implications.
This Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak has already become the most geographically widespread Ebola outbreak in history, affecting multiple countries across three regions of Africa.
With mortality approaching 50% in DRC, we face an extremely serious threat. Africa CDC has already begun mobilising support for Nigeria, while intensifying our response in DRC and Kenya and maintaining heightened vigilance in Uganda.
My appeal to the international community is urgent: ACT NOW.
We need immediate, flexible financing, medical supplies, diagnostics, trained responders and stronger community-based surveillance. We cannot allow this outbreak to spread to more countries or continue for another year.
Every day of delay costs lives. Africa’s health security is global health security. Stopping Ebola in Africa today means protecting the world. Nigeria has our full solidarity. Together, we must defeat this outbreak.
@AfricaCDC, @WHO, @WHOAFRO, @WorldBank, @gavi, @CEPIvaccines, @UNICEF, @NCDCgov, @African Union Commission, @Pandemic_Fund, @European Commission, @EU HERA, @US CDC, @UK FCDO, @Public Health Agency of Canada, @African Development Bank, @AfreximBank, @Gates Foundation, @Mastercard Foundation, @Wellcome, @UNOCHA, @IFRC
#AfricaReady #StopEbola #HealthSecurity
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
In 2018, Africa had about 4.3 million health workers. By 2024, that number reached 5.72 million.
That is about 700,000 more nurses, doctors, midwives and other health workers in six years.
Community health workers alone now number around 1.06 million. For many families in rural areas, they are the first, and often the only, link to care.
But these numbers represent less than 50% of the health workforce Africa needs to meet Universal Health Coverage targets by 2030.
The shortage is easing, but slowly. It has gone from 6.1 million to 5.85 million.
We are moving in the right direction, but not fast enough. Africa must train, recognize, regulate, remunerate and empower its health workers faster and at a far larger scale.
#AfricaCDC #PrimaryHealthCare #HealthSecurity #CHW2030 #fmohnigeria #UNICEF
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Join us this Thursday for an important briefing on health emergencies across the continent.
Date: 15 Oct 2026
Time: * 16:00 | EAT (GMT+3)
* 15:00 | SAST (GMT+2)
* 14:00 | CAT (GMT+1)
* 13:00 | WAT (GMT)
Register to participate: ow.ly/cTuZ50ZWQNM
This briefing will be issued the Director General of Africa CDC @Dr_JeanKaseya who will provide importat updates on the regional implications of the #Ebola outbreak and ongoing cross-border response as well as regional coordination efforts. #HealthSecurity #AfricaResponds
Toutes nos félicitations au Professeur Muyembe pour le prestigieux Prix #Virchow 2026 !
Pionnier de la lutte contre #Ebola, vous incarnez une Afrique d’excellence scientifique, audacieuse et innovante, qui éclaire le monde par son génie.
Une immense fierté pour toute l’Afrique👏🏾
I arrived in Berlin today, 11 October 2026, to attend the meeting of the Virchow Foundation (@virchowprize) Committee and celebrate Professor Muyembe (@MTamfum), the 2026 laureate.
We are proud to see an African receive this level of international recognition.
Bravo and congratulations, Professor Muyembe!
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Je suis arrivé à Berlin ce 11 octobre 2026 pour participer à la réunion du comité de la Fondation Virchow et célébrer le professeur Muyembe, lauréat 2026.
Nous sommes fiers de voir un Africain bénéficier d’une telle reconnaissance internationale.
Bravo et félicitations, Professeur Muyembe.
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Africa’s health security begins with a strong, skilled and supported health workforce.
Across our continent, community health workers are on the frontlines of healthcare, reaching underserved communities, preventing disease, detecting health threats early and connecting families to essential services. Investing in them is a political, public health and economic priority.
From 28–30 October 2026, Abuja, Nigeria, will host the High-Level Forum on a Fit-for-Purpose Health Workforce, advancing Africa’s ambition to reach 2 million community health workers by 2030.
Hosted by H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, African Union Champion for Human Resources for Health and the Community Health Delivery Partnership, the Forum will bring together African leadership, including Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Dr Omar Abdi, alongside governments and partners.
The ambition is clear: translate political commitments into sustained financing, stronger health systems and a community health workforce equipped to deliver for Africa’s people.
For Africa CDC, investing in community health workers is central to stronger primary healthcare, health security and Africa’s health sovereignty.
Africa’s health workforce is Africa’s future. The time to invest is now.
#AfricaCDC #CommunityHealthWorkers #HealthWorkforce #PrimaryHealthCare #HealthSecurity #CHW2030 @Fmohnigeria @UNICEF
I will be speaking at CPHIA 2026.
Public health experts meet in Addis Ababa under one message: Africa is Ready.
For me, readiness starts in primary health care. I look forward to discussing the future of PHC systems
Africa is ready. Are you?
cphia.africacdc.org/register
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
The Government has intensified measures to contain the Ebola Virus Disease following confirmation of Kenya’s first imported case, with the national response now focused on contact tracing, enhanced surveillance and strengthening preparedness across the health system.
Today at Afya House the National Ebola Virus Disease Taskforce convened to coordinate the response and review measures required to prevent further transmission.
The Taskforce is overseeing intensified contact tracing and monitoring, enhanced surveillance at points of entry and readiness of designated health facilities to isolate and manage suspected cases.
The response is being undertaken in collaboration with county governments, development partners and other technical and humanitarian partners.
Chairing the meeting the Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni has urged Kenyans to remain calm and vigilant and rely on information issued through official Ministry of Health channels as the national response is strengthened.
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Africa has a continental plan for sickle cell disease. The priority now is financing and delivery at scale.
At #UNGA81 in New York, Africa CDC joined the “From Burden to Breakthrough: Financing Africa’s Imara Framework for Sickle Cell Disease” roundtable, bringing together governments, financiers, technical partners, the private sector and patient organisations.
Around 300,000–400,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease in Africa every year. Earlier this year, representatives from 50 African Union Member States validated the Africa CDC Continental Plan for Sickle Cell Disease and Other Inherited Blood Disorders, establishing a shared direction for early diagnosis, integrated care, access to treatment, stronger blood services, data, research and sustainable financing.
The next step is country-led implementation, backed by investment that strengthens national health systems and supports people throughout the continuum of care.
“Africa has the plan. The next test is whether we finance it at the scale required to ensure every child with sickle cell disease is diagnosed early, receives quality care and has the opportunity to thrive.”
— Dr Landry Dongmo Tsague, Africa CDC
Africa CDC is working with Member States and partners to turn this continental commitment into better outcomes for people living with sickle cell disease.
#AfricaCDC #UNGA81 #SickleCellDisease #HealthSovereignty #ChildHealth
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Preparedness is built before the emergency.
At #UNGA81, Africa CDC joined Helen Clark, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and other global health leaders at the Friends of the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response to focus on what comes next: turning political commitments into action.
Against the backdrop of the ongoing Ebola response, Dr Raji Tajudeen, Deputy Director General of Africa CDC, put the challenge plainly:
“We cannot wait for an outbreak to invest in communities. Trust is built before the crisis, not during it.”
That means sustained investment in communities, strong regional health institutions, reliable financing and systems that are ready before the next emergency arrives.
Preparedness has to be built now.
#AfricaCDCAtUNGA81 #UNGA81 #PandemicPreparedness #HealthSecurity #PPPR
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Africa carries ~25% of the world's disease burden but <1% of the research behind new vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
Meeting the AU's 1% of GDP #RandD commitment could add $668bn to GDP over 20 years, with $137 back for every $1 invested.
Dr @mfallah1969 and Andrew Tuttle in @TheEconomist : ow.ly/MlUW50ZSZUS
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Dr Raji Tajudeen, Acting Deputy Director General of Africa CDC, represented H.E. @Dr_JeanKaseya during this milestone moment, reaffirming Africa CDC’s commitment to building stronger and more resilient health systems across the continent. #LocalManufacturing
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Safeguarding Africa's health in a digital age requires Member States to rapidly strengthen national capacity for health data stewardship and to adopt interoperable digital standards.
Africa CDC is supporting Member States to establish sustainable, secure and accountable health data governance systems that enable the responsible collection, management, sharing and use of health data, while preserving national ownership and sovereignty.
In partnership with @Trans4m_Health Africa CDC convened a Member State consultative session at the #AHTSat5 in Kigali. The discussions confirmed that Africa is ready for a health data governance transformation.
#AfricaReady #DigitalHealth
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
The goal is clear: make quality medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other health commodities more affordable, available, and accessible for all #Africans.
With #Tunisia and #Libya joining Egypt, Ghana, Botswana, Namibia, and São Tomé and Príncipe, seven AU Member States are now part of the #APPM; laying the foundation for a stronger and more integrated African #HealthMarket. #AfricaReady #HealthSecurity
ALT So far APPM progress timeline
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Africa CDC congratulates the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Health Promotion Fund on progress in mobilising domestic resources for health.
The announcement of US$130 million mobilised through the Health Promotion Tax represents an important step in implementing a national financing mechanism designed to sustainably support Universal Health Coverage and the health system.
Across Africa, greater domestic resource mobilisation for health is essential to building more resilient systems, sustaining essential services, and strengthening countries’ ability to define and finance their own health priorities.
Africa CDC welcomes this progress and encourages continued implementation grounded in transparency, equity and measurable results for communities.
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Africa CDC félicite le Ministère de la Santé Publique, Hygiène et Prévoyance Sociale de la République démocratique du Congo et le Fonds de Promotion de la Santé pour les progrès réalisés dans la mobilisation de ressources nationales en faveur de la santé.
L’annonce de la mobilisation de 130 millions de dollars américains à travers la Taxe de Promotion de la Santé marque une étape importante dans la mise en œuvre d’un mécanisme national de financement destiné à soutenir durablement la Couverture Santé Universelle et le système de santé.
À travers l’Afrique, la mobilisation accrue de ressources domestiques pour la santé est essentielle pour construire des systèmes plus résilients, assurer la continuité des services essentiels et renforcer la capacité des pays à définir et financer leurs propres priorités sanitaires.
Africa CDC salue cette avancée et encourage la poursuite d’une mise en œuvre transparente, équitable et orientée vers des résultats concrets pour les populations.
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
"Behind every maternal death is a woman who was loved, and behind every newborn or child death is a family whose hopes have been shattered." — H.E. Dr @SuluhuSamiam President of the United Republic of Tanzania and @_AfricanUnion Champion for Maternal and Child Health, at #UNGA81
Today, the High-Level Communiqué is published. Heads of State and Government commit to elevate, mobilise, align and report, towards the #ThreeZeros.
"We therefore reaffirm our collective determination to make preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths exceptional across Africa."
Read the communiqué: ow.ly/3B4W50ZRZwy
@wizara_afyatz #AfricaReady #PHCTransformation #HealthSecurity
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
From New York: Africa sets a clear course to end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths by 2030.
On 23 September, on the margins of #UNGA81, Africa CDC, the African Union Commission and the United Republic of Tanzania convened a High-Level Side Event under the leadership of H.E. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, AU Champion for Maternal and Child Health represented by H.E. Deogratius Ndejembi, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The theme: "Ending Preventable Maternal, Newborn and Child Deaths: Africa's Health Sovereignty Imperative"
Why it matters
Africa accounts for nearly 70% of global maternal deaths and 62% of under-five deaths. A new continental report by Africa CDC and the AU Champion's Secretariat covers all 55 Member States. It finds that the main barrier is no longer a lack of solutions, but health systems that cannot deliver them reliably and at scale.
📖 Read the full report: The Causes and Drivers of Maternal and Child Mortality in Africa – Africa CDC: africacdc.org/download/the-c… or scan the QR code in the image
🎯 The commitment: the Three Zeros by 2030
✅ Zero Home Delivery
✅ Zero Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths
✅ Zero Unvaccinated Children
🤝 Who stood up
🔹 H.E. the First Lady of the Republic of Benin reminded us that no mother should lose her life giving life. She called on leaders to put women and girls at the heart of every health plan.
🔹 Ministers of Health from 44 member states (both in-person and virtual0. They set out how political direction will be turned into delivery for every woman, newborn, child and adolescent.
🔹 On redefining partnership, Prof. Senait Fisseha of tthe usan Thompson Buffett Foundation put it simply: "Partnership must follow government leadership, not replace it. Our role is to strengthen the systems countries own."
🔹 Partners pledged to align behind national priorities and strengthen country systems:
@Prof. Senait Fisseha, @Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
@Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, @WHO, @MSuzman, @gatesfoundation, @SaniaNishtar, @gavi, @PeterASands, @GlobalFund,
@G_LaryeaAdjei, @UNICEF
@dienekeita, @UNFPA
@RuizAntonito, Keep A Child Alive, Nikolaj Gilbert, President and Chief Executive Officer
➡️ What comes next
A High-Level Communiqué captured these commitments. It will link each country's action to Africa CDC technical support, continental review and the AU Champion's political follow-up.
Strong primary health care is the pathway to Universal Health Coverage and health sovereignty. And Africa's women and children are the measure of both.
#ThreeZeros #HealthSovereignty #MaternalHealth #UHC #AfricaCDC #AfricanUnion #UNGA81
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
En marge de la 81e Assemblée générale des #NationsUnies, j'ai eu l'honneur de rencontrer S.E. Nathalie Villette-Wadagni, Première Dame du #Bénin.
Nous avons échangé sur le rôle essentiel des femmes leaders, au plus haut niveau politique, pour faire avancer l'agenda de la sécurité et de la souveraineté sanitaires de l'Afrique.
Son engagement est une force pour notre continent.
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On the margins of #UNGA, I had the honour of meeting H.E. Nathalie Villette-Wadagni, First Lady of Benin.
We discussed the essential role of women leaders, at the highest political level, in advancing Africa's Health Security and Sovereignty agenda.
Her commitment is a strength for our continent.
#WomenLead #SheLeads #HealthSovereignty #AfricaReady #SouverainetéSanitaire
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
On 23 Sept, Africa’s leaders unite to end preventable maternal & child deaths.
H.E. @Dr_JeanKaseya, @AfricaCDC Director General, will open the session and share new findings.
H.E. Dr @SuluhuSamia, President of Tanzania, leads fiercely as we collectively commit to:
🔴 Zero Home Delivery
🔴 Zero Preventable Maternal & Newborn Deaths
🔴 Zero Unvaccinated Children
📅 Wed, 23 September 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM EST
📍 African Union Office, New York, on the margins of #UNGA81
#MaternalHealth #AfricaCDC #HealthSovereignty #ThreeZeros
