The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and UNICEF has signed an extended partnership dedicated to strengthening healthcare systems in the region.
A joint statement issued on Thursday indicates that the expanded partnership agreement was signed in Addis Ababa, by the Director General of Africa CDC, Dr Jean Kaseya, and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, Ted Chaiban.
The organizations said the collaboration builds on the 2022-2024 Partnership Framework Agreement between both parties which aims to achieve the goals outlined in the African Union Agenda 2063: ‘The Africa We Want.’
According to the statement, the partnership which was extended to 2027 is expected to have a significant impact on public health in Africa by strengthening procurement and supply chain systems, with a particular focus on immunization for children across the continent.
It said although immunization is one of the most effective public health interventions globally, millions of African children are still deprived of life-saving vaccinations.
The 2023 UNICEF State of the World’s Children vaccination report revealed that 12.7 million children were under-vaccinated in 2021, including 8.7 million who did not receive a single dose, also called “zero-dose” children.
The statement reads in part: “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of many healthcare systems and highlighted deficiencies and challenges in medical supply chains.
“While countries with strong primary healthcare systems were better able to cope, the disruption caused by the pandemic left others facing shortages of vital medical commodities.
“Over the next four years, Africa CDC and UNICEF will work together to establish robust institutional backing for supply chain management and enhance pooled procurement mechanisms to fortify Africa’s healthcare infrastructure, ensuring timely and adequate access to essential medical supplies for its population.”
Extended Partnership
The Director General of Africa CDC, Dr Kaseya said the partnership will optimize supply chain management, operationalize the pool procurement mechanism for Africa CDC, empower community health workers, and advance local manufacturing.
He said ultimately, these efforts will strengthen immunization systems and reduce outbreaks and epidemics on the continent.
UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, Mr Chaiban said the partnership is a commitment to the well-being of children and their families, affirming their right to health.
He said by strengthening its partnership with Africa CDC and the Joint Emergency Action Plan for Africa, UNICEF can ensure communities get the support they need without delay.
“The push forward on paid and protected community health workers, medical supplies made in Africa, for Africans, remains one of our highest priorities,” he said.
Achieving milestones
The statement indicates that UNICEF and Africa CDC have achieved significant milestones in strengthening Africa CDC’s institutional capacity and catalyzing community health programmes, immunization systems, emergency response, and supply chain enhancement in the past two years.
It said collaborative efforts secured the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine doses and essential cold chain equipment for routine immunization.
It also highlighted that Africa imports 99 per cent of its vaccines and 70 to 90 per cent of its medicines and medical devices, which is a significant challenge.
The Africa CDC said it aims to achieve sustainable production and supply of essential health commodities through African manufacturers, considered Africa’s second independence by Africa CDC.
“Africa CDC’s goal is to work with African Union Member States and partners to actively advocate for and support the procurement of vaccines made in Africa and prioritize initiatives that strengthen local manufacturing.
“Through the Partnership for Vaccine Manufacturing, Africa CDC aims to manufacture 60 per cent of the continent’s vaccine needs by 2040, paving the way toward robust and self-reliant health systems, ensuring that people can obtain and use health commodities when and where required.”