The Role of Youth Engagement in Strengthening MPOX Response and Preparedness in Africa from a One Health Perspective

Dr. Frankline SEVIDZEM WIRSIY is a global public health professional with 10+ years of relevant experience working with international and national organizations in development, research, global health security, one health, academia, advocacy, emergency response, humanitarian aid, community mobilization, and communication. Frankline is presently the Community Mobilization Coordinator for the second CAMPHIA Survey in Cameroon; a PEPFAR/US CDC-funded project; led by the Ministry of Public Health and primarily implemented by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board [CBCHB] with other partners. He is also a Global Health Security Consultant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center-USA, a reviewing editor for eLife Sciences Publications, and a member of the inaugural Youth Advisory Team for Health (YAT4H) at Africa CDC. Frankline is a SwitchPoint Future League Member; an advocacy partnership by IntraHealth Int’l with the Global Fund and ONE Campaign Africa, a Pfizer_One Young World (OYW) Ambassador, and a board of trustees member for the African Public Health Students Network Initiative (AfricaPHSN).

Previously, he was a Technical Expert (Consultant) for Global Health Security, Disease Control and Prevention at AMREF Health Africa, a research consultant at the University of Pittsburgh, a Proposal Development Consultant with IntraHealth Int’l in Cameroon, and an International consultant for the USAID-funded RHITES-E Project, in Uganda. He also served as an Epidemiologist Expatriate with Doctors Without Borders in Kinshasha, D.R. Congo for its largest HIV/AIDS project.

Furthermore, he responded to COVID-19 Pandemic Control and Preparedness in Cameroon as an Epidemiologist with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). He has been a Visiting/Part-time lecturer of Public Health at Saint Louis University Institute and a Project Manager for a UNICEF-sponsored Education in Emergencies and Health cluster Program in Cameroon.

Frankline has also worked in several US CDC_PEPFAR Sponsored Programs in Cameroon. He is an author of over 47 scientific publications and his research interests include but are not limited to Global Health Security, Emerging and Re-Emerging zoonotic diseases, Climate change impact on Health, Antimicrobial resistance, Immunization Practice, Mental Health, HIV/AIDS, Health policy & systems, Maternal and Child Health. He is a prolific writer, T-shaped and open-minded person while highly committed to continuous learning.