In a collaboration aimed at bolstering public health initiatives across Africa, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and UNICEF have announced an extended partnership focusing on primary healthcare, supply chain management, pooled procurement, and local manufacturing.
This strategic alliance, building on the 2022-2024 Partnership Framework Agreement, is set to make a significant impact on healthcare infrastructure and immunization efforts for children continent-wide.
The signing of the expanded partnership agreement took place in Addis Ababa, where H.E Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, and Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director for Humanitarian Action and Supply Operations, affirmed their commitment to enhancing healthcare systems in Africa.
The collaboration aims to address the vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen supply chain management to ensure timely access to essential medical supplies.
H.E Jean Kaseya expressed optimism about the partnership, highlighting its potential to optimize supply chain management, empower community health workers, and advance local manufacturing.
The ultimate goal is to strengthen immunization systems, reduce outbreaks, and enhance health security across the continent.
Immunization, a crucial public health intervention, remains a priority for both organizations, as millions of children in Africa still lack access to life-saving vaccinations.
UNICEF’s report revealed that 12.7 million children were under-vaccinated in 2021, emphasizing the urgent need to improve immunization coverage.
Ted Chaiban of UNICEF underscored the partnership’s dedication to children’s well-being and health rights, emphasizing the importance of supporting community health workers and promoting local manufacturing of medical supplies.
The collaboration between Africa CDC and UNICEF has already yielded significant milestones in strengthening healthcare systems and response mechanisms.
With Africa importing the majority of its vaccines and medicines, Africa CDC’s vision of achieving sustainable production of essential health commodities through local manufacturers represents a crucial step towards self-reliant health systems.
The Partnership for Vaccine Manufacturing aims to manufacture 60% of the continent’s vaccine needs by 2040, paving the way for a more resilient healthcare infrastructure.
The extended partnership between Africa CDC and UNICEF signals a united effort to tackle Africa’s healthcare challenges head-on.
By prioritizing immunization, strengthening health systems, and promoting local production, both organizations are poised to make lasting impacts on the health and well-being of children and communities across Africa, while safeguarding the continent’s health security.
