AFRICA – The Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC) has secured a US$100M grant from the World Bank to strengthen public health emergency preparedness and bolster response to health emergencies in line with the continent’s New Public Health Order.
The Africa CDC will use the funding to improve Africa’s public health institution’s capabilities, enhance Africa CDC’s technical capacity and strengthen institutional frameworks with a goal to intensify support to African countries in preparing for, detecting and responding to any health security threat.
Part of the World Bank’s investment will be used to assist Africa CDC’s expansion efforts as the agency continues to harness and building upon the gains made during COVID-19 response for a sustainable, continent-wide impact on the public health agenda.
In addition, the financing will significantly build on Africa CDC’s momentum of implementing Africa’s vision of a New Public Health Order to guide transformative investments for the continent’s medium- to longer-term health security as well as further Africa’s health security agenda.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project will help to cultivate regional capabilities critical to ensuring a resilient and prepared continent.
The support programme comes at a time when the African Union (AU) Executive Council has granted Africa CDC autonomy by approving the new Statute and setting the stage for a more efficient institution hence part of the funding will support the implementation of AU’s Executive Council decisions.
The grant will support the institution in advancing multi-sectoral public health agendas, complement existing World Bank support and strengthen the relationship between African institutions on the preparedness agenda including domestic financing, innovative thinking and timely action.
According to Africa CDC, the World Bank’s investment is a clear recognition of the leadership and importance of the public health agency in safeguarding the continent’s health as Africa CDC stands up as an autonomous institution of the Africa Union.
Acting Director of the Africa CDC Dr. Ahmed Ouma said that the support programme has enhanced the specialized technical institution’s partnership with the World Bank, noting that the funding comes at a pivotal time when the AU Executive Council Decision has granted Africa CDC autonomy.
Dr. Ahmed Ouma revealed that the AU Executive Council Decision has directed the Africa CDC to fully operationalize its mandate, adding that the agency is looking forward to expanding its collaboration to maximize the impact of the crucial investment in guaranteeing the future health of the continent.
“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,” said Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Boutheina Guermazi emphasized that diseases do not respect borders and must be tackled collectively, observing that disease management requires trusted leadership at the regional level and strong health systems across the continent.
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