By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria, as a member of the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC), will benefit from a $100 million support programme from the World Bank that will help enhance the institution’s technical capacity in tackling threats to health on the continent.
The fund is also expected to strengthen its institutional framework to intensify support to African countries in preparing for, detecting, and responding to disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
After the member states of the African Union (AU) awarded the Africa CDC with the status of an autonomous health body of the African Union, it is critical that they address several infectious disease outbreaks in addition to COVID-19 and there are growing risks looking ahead.
Recent assessments have revealed widespread gaps in the preparedness capacities of African countries that disproportionately impact the poorest and more vulnerable.
Regional approaches to health policies and interventions in complementarity with country and global efforts underscore the value of a strong Africa CDC geared towards safeguarding the health of the continent.
In line with the AU Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, which endorses health as a cornerstone agenda for achieving longer-term development goals, the Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Programme to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project will be critical to supporting the Africa CDC as it transitions to an autonomous health body of the African Union and solidifies its role as a leading regional and global public health institution.
Speaking on this, Dr Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Acting Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control said, “Africa is changing the dynamic in its journey to realizing a New Public Health Order. This project comes at a critical time as we focus on enhancing our support to the AU Member States on the health security agenda and standing up for our autonomous institution of the AU.
“We view this project—but more importantly our partnership—with the World Bank as extremely important, especially as the institution transitions. We look forward to collaborating with the World Bank and our partners to maximize the impact of this crucial investment in guaranteeing the future health of the continent.”
Ms Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Northern Africa added that, “Our investment in the Africa CDC underscores the World Bank’s long-term commitment to supporting African-led regional institutions and Africa’s public health preparedness agenda.
“Diseases do not respect borders and must be tackled collectively, requiring trusted leadership at the regional level and strong health systems across the continent.”
Aduragbemi Omiyale