Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – August 28, 2023: The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Africa Public Health Foundation (APHF) have reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering health and economic stability in Africa, aimed at propelling sustainable financial backing for public health initiatives spanning the continent.
In a pivotal meeting held in July 2023, APHF and Africa CDC engaged in discussions centered on executing APHF’s designated responsibilities, encompassing the orchestration of resource mobilization and supervision of grant allocation concerning Africa CDC’s strategic priorities. These pivotal areas of focus are intricately linked to the Director General’s Five Flagship Programmes, each geared towards the following objectives:
Safeguarding Healthcare Workers: This includes the imperative of vaccinating against vaccine-preventable diseases with epidemic potential and facilitating the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Community Health Workers (CHWs).
Fortifying Primary Healthcare: Recognized as the fundamental bedrock for Public Health surveillance, frontline pandemic preparedness, and response, this initiative underscores digital transformation and seamless connectivity.
Empowering National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs): An ambitious target has been set for all 55 AU Member States to establish operational NPHIs within the strategic cycle.
Enhancing Laboratory Capacities: It is the vision that each AU Member State will house at least one national reference laboratory, boasting diagnostic proficiency in epidemic-prone pathogens and genomics capabilities.
Diversifying Medical Countermeasures Manufacturing: Going beyond vaccines, this flagship pursues expansion into diagnostic and therapeutic realms.
H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of the Africa CDC, restated the organization’s unwavering commitment to the collaborative partnership with APHF during the deliberations. He underscored the critical significance of sustainable funding in advancing pivotal public health endeavors across the expansive African landscape.
Central to this concerted effort, APHF will play a pivotal role in galvanizing resources to bolster the Flagship Programmes. Collaboratively, APHF will align with the Africa CDC Flagship Programme Development unit, fostering a co-creative environment to birth initiatives and construct potent fundraising strategies.
Dr. Haufiku, Founder and Chairman of APHF’s Governing Council, lauded Africa CDC for their steadfast dedication to propelling public health welfare throughout the continent. He extolled the remarkable milestones achieved through synergistic endeavors, accentuating the affirmative influence of unified action towards the greater good of the African domain.
With its demonstrated history of prudent fiscal accountability and access to a spectrum of funding avenues, APHF stands poised to fulfill its mandate. The organization is resolute in its commitment to realizing the African Union’s New Public Health Order, championing a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Africa, harmonized with the aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063.
