The Communicable Diseases and Noncommunicable Diseases (UCN) Cluster

The Universal Health Coverage/Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases Cluster

Overview


The WHO/AFRO Universal Health Coverage | Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases (UCN) Cluster was established in 2019 to better integrate the AFRO disease prevention and control programs within a health system strengthening framework through a data-centric, results-focused, and integrated cluster management approach. The UCN is responsible for delivering WHO|AFRO’s strategic agenda for four priorities areas of the SDGs – universal health coverage, NCDs and ageing, communicable disease control and the endgame strategies for neglected tropical diseases.The Cluster is lead by Dr IMPOUMA Benido.

UCN Structure: The cluster comprises four subject matter teams (SMTs): HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, and STIs (HTH); Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases (TVD), including ESPEN; Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPD); and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). Two cross-cutting units, the Strategic Planning and Policy Office and the Precision Public Health Office (PPH), have been established to help the SMTs achieve WHO's strategic and technical objectives on time and within budget. The SPP will support program management, strategic communications, resource mobilization, partner coordination, and monitoring and evaluation. The PPH will support data, information, knowledge management, health informatics, and training.

Dr IMPOUMA Benido

Director, Universal Health Coverage/Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases

Dr Benido Impouma took up the office of Director, Communicable and Noncommunicable Cluster in 2021. He is responsible for coordinating and leading the programmes on HIV/TB, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, noncommunicable diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases and tropical and vector-borne diseases.

Dr Impouma is a public health specialist with extensive regional and international experience. He has more than 15 years of experience in the development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and coordination of international public health programmes in such areas as neglected tropical diseases, health emergency preparedness and response, HIV, TB and malaria. Dr Impouma has extensive experience in building relationships and strengthening partnerships and collaboration with governments, donor agencies, pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders in the international health community to strengthen health systems across the region.

Latest news

Seychelles
Strengthening care services for chronic diseases in Seychelles
For fourteen-year-old João, the opening of the PEN-Plus clinic in Nhamatanda, Mozambique, was lifesaving. Living with rheumatic heart disease, over the course of three years his condition deteriorated after a spate of misdiagnoses. Determining he needed critical life-saving heart surgery, his doctor received support from PEN-Plus to fly him to the capital Maputo in order to get the procedure done. Still attending the clinic for follow-up appointments and treatments, João’s health has now greatly improved.
WHO/Ivan Simone Congolo
Credits
Boosting efforts to transform care for severe chronic diseases in Africa
WHO Africa, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pursue collaboration to leverage data analytics to fight diseases
WHO Africa, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pursue collaboration to leverage data analytics to fight diseases
Broadening access to hypertension care in Burkina Faso
Broadening access to hypertension care in Burkina Faso

ResourcesAll →

Loading ...
The Communicable Diseases and Noncommunicable Diseases (UCN) Cluster
Credits