PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: MR UBALD TAMOUFE, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER, HEADA: [email protected] OR +237 222229175
CAMEROON–BASED NON–PROFIT HEADA ACQUIRES METABIOTA
After more than a decade operating in Africa, US-based Metabiota Inc. transfers ownership and control of public health projects to national organizations.
YAOUNDÉ, OCTOBER 14, 2022 – The Cameroonian non-profit organization Health and Development in Action (HEADA) today announced its acquisition of Metabiota, Inc., a leading US-based organization dedicated to global health and to mitigating the risk of pandemics.
HEADA will immediately take over projects in HIV prevention, avian and human influenza surveillance, and pandemic preparedness in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone. Funders of this work include the US Department of Defense, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USAID. Metabiota’s core capacities include developing and strengthening disease surveillance systems, building, and maintaining national infectious disease laboratory systems, and strengthening the public health workforce.
“After more than two decades working in Central and West Africa, I’m delighted to see Metabiota arrive at this critical juncture with HEADA,” said Dr. Nathan Wolfe, founder of Metabiota.
The transfer of Metabiota to HEADA aligns with the US government’s vision of “localization,” strengthening local capacities and ownership in low- and middle-income countries out of a recognition that local actors are best positioned to drive their country’s development.
Ubald Tamoufe, President of HEADA and a trained bioengineer, has worked in the region on public health projects for more than three decades, including as Metabiota’s Director in Africa and most recently as Metabiota, Inc CEO.
“This transfer demonstrates the willingness of Metabiota leadership to recognize the importance of local ownership and sustainability, » said Tamoufe. « Building on almost twenty-five years of exceptional impact by the Metabiota team, we look forward to developing new opportunities here in the region and elsewhere to strengthen local health systems to improve overall public health.”
“Ubald Tamoufe is a world recognized expert in global health research and development. Having worked closely with him for nearly 25 years, I am confident that under his leadership HEADA will continue and expand upon the important public health efforts of Metabiota » said Dr. Wolfe.
About HEADA
Health and Development in Action (HEADA) is a non-for-profit organization established in 2017 in Cameroon to address the link between human, animal and planetary health, community development, operational research, education, charitable and humanitarian action, technological innovation, and communication. For more information, visit www.heada.org.
The Chief Executive Officer
Ubald TAMOUFE
