China-Africa CDC Laboratory Capacity Building and Pathogen Surveillance Requirements Investigation Symposium successfully held in Beijing

The Center for Global Public Health at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) held a symposium on strengthening laboratory capacity building and meeting requirements for pathogen surveillance for Africa CDC in Beijing on Sept 25.

 

The symposium drew the attendance of experts from the China and Africa CDCs in the field of laboratory building, the World Health Organization (WHO) China Office, as well as representatives of the provincial-level CDC branches and universities.

 

At the opening remarks, Li Qun, deputy director-general of the China CDC, extended congratulations to Africa CDC on its move into the China-aid new headquarters. He expressed thanks to the WHO Representative Office in China for its strong support toward the cooperation between China CDC and Africa CDCs. He also expressed in the wish for carrying out wider and in-depth technical cooperation with Africa CDC.

 

Qiao Jianrong, coordinator of the WHO Representative Office in China, congratulated the Africa CDC on its achievements in building African laboratory network and expressed anticipation and support for further communication and cooperation between China CDC and Africa CDC.

 

Dr. Sofonias from Africa CDC expressed gratitude to the China CDC for the invitation and looked forward to in-depth discussions with attending experts.

 

Qi Xiaopeng, director of Center for Global Public Health, China CDC, introduced the background of the project and the China CDC's health aid work.

 

At the meeting, African experts presented the top priorities and strategic goals in strengthening the laboratory network system for pathogen surveillance at the Africa CDC, and Chinese experts introduced their major work areas and common interest for prospective cooperation with the Africa CDC.

 

After the meeting, Africa CDC experts visited the laboratories of National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention and National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, China CDC.