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
This week in Abuja, leaders launched the Continental Acceleration Plan for 2 million community health workers by 2030.
Countries lead. Regional institutions coordinate. Global partners support.
#AfricaReady #PHCTransformation #LusakaAgenda
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
J’ai rencontré la Dre Marie-France Shogogo lors de ma visite à #Beni. Jeune médecin, elle avait choisi de consacrer sa vie à sauver celle des autres. Hier, nous l’avons perdue à cause d’Ebola.
C’est profondément douloureux et révoltant de continuer à perdre de jeunes professionnels de santé qui risquent leur vie pour sauver celle des autres.
Nous devons protéger ceux qui nous protègent. Nous le devons à la mémoire de la Dre Shogogo, à sa famille et à tous les agents de santé en première ligne. Nous devons tout mettre en œuvre pour mettre fin à cette épidémie.
Que son âme repose en paix.
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
#CPHIA2026 Advancing PHC Together
nitter.cf/AfricaCDC/status/21149…
Africa is ready to improve primary healthcare and bring better health services closer to its people. We know what needs to be done. Now we need strong leadership and action to make it happen.
At CPHIA 2026, leaders, experts and partners will discuss how to make primary healthcare stronger, more accessible and better for every community. Africa is ready. Are you?
23–27 November 2026 | Addis Ababa
Register now: cphia.africacdc.org/register
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L’Afrique est prête à améliorer les soins de santé primaires et à rapprocher les services de santé des populations. Nous savons ce qu’il faut faire. Il nous faut maintenant un leadership fort et des actions concrètes pour y parvenir.
À la CPHIA 2026, les dirigeants, les experts et les partenaires discuteront des moyens de rendre les soins de santé primaires plus solides, plus accessibles et mieux adaptés aux besoins de chaque communauté. L’Afrique est prête. Et vous ?
Du 23 au 27 novembre 2026 | Addis-Abeba
Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant : cphia.africacdc.org/register
#CPHIA2026 #AfricaIsReady
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
Africa is ready to improve primary healthcare and bring better health services closer to its people. We know what needs to be done. Now we need strong leadership and action to make it happen.
At CPHIA 2026, leaders, experts and partners will discuss how to make primary healthcare stronger, more accessible and better for every community. Africa is ready. Are you?
23–27 November 2026 | Addis Ababa
Register now: cphia.africacdc.org/register
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L’Afrique est prête à améliorer les soins de santé primaires et à rapprocher les services de santé des populations. Nous savons ce qu’il faut faire. Il nous faut maintenant un leadership fort et des actions concrètes pour y parvenir.
À la CPHIA 2026, les dirigeants, les experts et les partenaires discuteront des moyens de rendre les soins de santé primaires plus solides, plus accessibles et mieux adaptés aux besoins de chaque communauté. L’Afrique est prête. Et vous ?
Du 23 au 27 novembre 2026 | Addis-Abeba
Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant : cphia.africacdc.org/register
#CPHIA2026 #AfricaIsReady
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
High - Level Forum: Fit - for- Purpose Health Workforce | Oct. 28 -30, 2026 nitter.cf/i/broadcasts/1AxRnZQln…
Landry Tsague, MD, MPH, PhD retweeted
At #UNGA81, African leaders pledged the #ThreeZeros: zero home deliveries, zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and zero unvaccinated children.
A promise only matters once it reaches a mother in labour, a newborn in their first hours or a child waiting for a vaccine. So how do we get there?
Join us tomorrow for the webinar “From New York to National Action: Delivering the Three Zeros”, hosted by Africa CDC and the @_AfricanUnion Champion Secretariat for Maternal and Child Health. Member States, partners and changemakers will share how they are turning commitments into results, where it matters most.
🗓️ Thursday, 29 October 2026
🕑 14:00–16:00 EAT
💻 Virtual (Zoom)
🔗 Register now: bit.ly/4e247Yn
#ThreeZeros #MaternalHealth #RMNCAH #PHCTransformation #AfricaReady @wizara_afyatz
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
