The Africa CDC is the autonomous Public Health Institution of the African Union (AU) with the mandate to prevent and control diseases in Africa by providing strategic direction and support to the 55 AU Member States.
Africa CDC commends the Pandemic Fund for the outcome of the first call for proposals with 19 Grants approved, which is praiseworthy given the gaps in meeting the initial commitment of 1.6 billion dollars pledged by donors at the Fund’s launching. Africa CDC notes that only 9% of African countries (5 out of the 55 AU Member States) representing less than 5% of Africa’s population will benefit from this first call of proposals. While congratulating the five countries and committing to support them for implementation, Africa CDC remains concerned about the limited impact of this first allocation on pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response (PPPR) in Africa due to its limited size and lack of regional approach.
Africa CDC notes that Africa is the only region without a regional proposal. In contrast, other regions adopted a regional approach to maximize the impact of the Pandemic Fund on their entire countries and populations: Caribbean region with 12 countries, South America with 7 countries, and Central Asia with 5 countries. The considerable discrepancy stems from the Pandemic Fund’s failure to acknowledge the vital role that Africa CDC could have played as an Implementing Entity for the Fund, considering its central role in supporting health initiatives across the continent.
Overlooking the inclusion of Africa CDC, which is the sole continental public health institution, was an unfortunate oversight. As a result, Africa’s health security gaps remain inadequately addressed, leading to the absence of multi-country/regional proposals from the continent.
Africa CDC would like to recall that in February 2023, it reiterated its stance as an observer at the Pandemic Fund’s Board, emphasizing the significance of inclusive representation in the Fund’s governance structures, technical teams, and Secretariat to inform its crucial work[1]. Africa CDC would also like to echo the call from African Heads of State and Government for a better representation of Africa in all multilateral constituencies. Africa CDC further urges for equitable representation of African countries and regional organizations in the relevant structures to ensure fair and inclusive outcomes. Therefore, Africa CDC once again urges the Pandemic Fund to take decisive action for the admission of Africa CDC as an Implementing Entity to join the ones identified in 2022. Moving forward, Africa CDC strongly advocates for an equity-based approach, emphasizing transparency and open dialogue throughout the decision-making process. Africa CDC, under the guidance of our Heads of State and Government, will actively support regional proposals that align with the newly approved Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023-2027 by the Governing Board. These proposals will be guided by the principles of the New Public Health Order, which promotes respectful and action-driven partnerships, fostering a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to combating disease threats locally and globally.
[1] https://africacdc.org/news-item/statement-from-africa-cdc-on-the-pandemic-fund1/
