Opening ceremonies were held in Lusaka, Zambia, August 10, 2009, at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS)-sponsored Health and Security in Africa Seminar. Keynote speaker Dr. Velepi Mtonga, Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Health in Zambia, addressed 75 participants, mostly African public health officials and their counterparts in the security sectors.

During the five-day seminar, participants were scheduled to take stock of current and emerging health challenges facing African security forces, examine African responses to these challenges, and explore new developments in addressing those challenges at the national, sub-regional, and regional levels to include new approaches that enhance multi-sectoral coordination on health and security. The seminar aims to reinforce the connection between public health and security, particularly in Africa where many states lack institutional capacity.

The seminar provides a setting for African government officials, security sector officers, and civilians to identify and evaluate public health issues and priorities confronting Africa's security and explore sound practices to address them.

Dr. Mtonga set the tone of the seminar by providing an overview of the key global health challenges, as well as an assessment of how well African countries are doing in meeting these challenges. She also offered some broad recommendations for seminar participants to consider as part of their deliberations on the way forward for Africa to enhance its health capacities.

In terms of global health conditions, she noted that although many people are living longer, healthier lives, many still lack access to basic health care, and the gap is widening for fundamental services. Moreover, while some infectious diseases have been eradicated, new diseases are emerging. The global disease burden is further challenged by human behavior and harmful choices made individually and collectively. Specific health challenges in Africa range from HIV/AIDS and malaria to maternal mortality and tobacco-related deaths.

Dr. Mtonga explained that international cooperation is critical, as no institution or country can respond to the current international public health emergencies that are facilitated by globalization. She added that population increases, massive urbanization, new technology, and increased international transportation have furthered the spread of disease. Despite the high burden of disease in developing countries, success is possible as long as resources are available to improve their core capacities.

Dr. Mtonga concluded by elaborating on the World Health Organization 2005 International Health Regulations, and outlining specific health challenges in Africa that must be surmounted. Specifically, she urged Africans to improve health systems and infrastructure, mobilize resources, improve the selection and scale of cost effective interventions, increase research and development, as well as draft and implement policies and legislation.

Celebrating this year the 10th Anniversary of its founding, ACSS is one of five U.S. Department of Defense regional centers that provide strategic-level education to international civilian and military personnel through a combination of multi-week courses, short-term conferences, seminars and workshops, and outreach.