In a landmark move to bolster Africa’s epidemic preparedness, Russia has kicked off its first international epidemic response drills on the continent, marking a major step in Moscow’s health diplomacy efforts.

The joint initiative, held in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, brings together medical experts and public health officials from 15 African nations, alongside Russian specialists and global health organizations. The hands-on training focuses on swift, coordinated responses to disease outbreaks an increasingly urgent priority as the continent grapples with recurring epidemics.

The event is the inaugural edition of the Russian-African International Exercises for Rapid Response Teams, organized by Russia’s public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health. The drills include real-time simulations and the use of state-of-the-art mobile laboratories supplied by Moscow, equipping local teams to detect, analyze, and contain infectious diseases more effectively.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a speech read on his behalf during the opening ceremony, called the initiative “a qualitative leap forward” in Moscow’s strategic cooperation with African countries.

“The Russian Federation attaches great importance to the development of international cooperation to counter the threat of dangerous infectious diseases,” Putin stated. “African states have traditionally been important partners for us in this area.”

Since the Russia-Africa Summit in July 2023, Moscow has significantly expanded its health outreach. Over 150 African health specialists have been trained under the new cooperation program, and six mobile laboratories have been delivered to countries across the continent, including Ethiopia, Uganda, DR Congo, Guinea, and the Republic of the Congo.

In February, Russia also provided a mobile lab to the Republic of the Congo following an agreement between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Additional aid was delivered to multiple nations in response to last year’s mpox outbreak, which was classified as a regional health emergency.

Anna Popova, head of Rospotrebnadzor, emphasized the urgency of building resilient health systems in Africa, a region she described as “most vulnerable” to infectious disease threats. During meetings with the Africa CDC in Ethiopia, Popova reinforced Russia’s commitment to long-term collaboration.

With mobile labs rolling out, training intensifying, and international partnerships deepening, Russia’s expanding health footprint in Africa signals a new era of medical cooperation one forged in the shared mission to contain outbreaks and save lives.