Former Malawi’s Ministry of Health Dr Peter Kumpalume and former Direction of Planning and Policy Development in the same ministry Dr Gerald Manthalu have been appointed to serve in Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Kumpalume, who also served as Member of Parliament, was appointed Special Representative of Africa CDC, Southern Africa Africa RCC while Dr Gerald Manthalu will head the Public Finance Management and the Lusaka Agenda.
Reads the statement in part: “Dr Peter Kumpalume, a former Minister of Health, academic leader and pharmaceutical R&D expert who combines experience in health sector reform, emergency preparedness and medicines development.”
The statement applauded Dr Kumpalume, saying: “He brings senior leadership experience from government academia and industry, including GlaxoSmithKline R&D and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences.”
On Manthalu, the statement says he boasts 20 years of experience in health systems strengthening and reform, including integrated primary health care, health financing, public financial management and monitoring and evaluation.
“Proven leader in advancing holistic, systemwide approaches at national and global levels, with strong partnerships across donors, global health initiatives and technical agencies,” reads the statement.
It says the appoitment of a new group of senior leaders to reinforce on its mandate and accelerate implementation of the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda.
It further states the appointees will strengthen priority areas across pooled procument, immunisation, pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, regional coordination, maternal and child health, and digital transformation.
Others appointed to serve in various roles are Dr Tala Jallow from The Gambia, Nigerian Dr Folake Olayinke, Dr Tolbert Nyenswah of Liberia, Cameroonian Professor Yap Boum, Nigerian Professor Aliko Ahmed and Dr Thadde Ndikumana of Burundi.
