AMREF boss Gitahi Githinji nominated to Africa CDC

Amref Health Africa Global CEO Dr Githinji Gitahi has been appointed as a member of the governing Board of the Africa Centre’s for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Dr Gitahi was appointed by the Commissioner for Social Affairs, Her Excellency Mrs Aminra Elfadil of the African Union Commission on Thursday.

Gitahi is Co-Chair of UHC 2030 steering committee and board member at the Standard Group PLC.

The Africa CDC supports all African countries to improve surveillance, emergency response, and prevention of infectious diseases.

This includes addressing outbreaks, man-made, natural disasters and public health events of regional and international concern. It further seeks to build the capacity to reduce disease burden on the continent.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the African Union and specifically to H.E Mrs Elfadil for this appointment. I am honoured to be nominated to this position that is geared towards strengthening and transforming health in Africa.

“I look forward to sharing my expertise and skills as we work towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and health security,” said Dr Gitahi.

Africa CDC is also a specialised technical institution of the African Union that serves as a platform for Member States to share knowledge, exchange lessons learnt and build capacity.
This appointment comes after his nomination as the co-chair of the UHC2030 Steering Committee in December 2017.

UHC2030 is a World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) forum for achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 and has membership across countries, private sector and civil society organisations.

Gitahi has previously served as International VP and Regional Director, Africa, of Smile Train and International Regional Director, Africa.

He worked at Nation Media Group as Managing Director, Monitor Publications Ltd (an NMG subsidiary in Uganda) and General Manager (Marketing and Circulation).

He has held various senior marketing positions in the past. Gitahi is also the International Co-Chair for UHC2030, a World Bank and WHO initiative for Universal Health Coverage.

He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (Marketing option) from USIU and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from University of Nairobi.

Article first published on https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/article/2001337358/standard-group-board-member-githinji-nominated-to-africa-cdc