JOHANNESBURG/NAIROBI APRIL 4, 2020 — The coronavirus pandemic is currently putting a lot of strain on Africa’s health systems beyond its limits in curbing the exponential spread of the disease. Africa’s continued reliance on imported finished generics and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) is likely to slow efforts in treating victims of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, warns the African Union Development Agency New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
Already, coronavirus has put a lot of strain on Africa’s healthcare systems beyond its limits in curbing the exponential spread of the disease.
This is happening in the face of the growing prohibition on the export of many medical technologies and priority medicines, the continent is already experiencing shortages of medical products required by medical staff to efficiently fight the spread of the virus.
“The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD has for a long time been raising awareness about this over-dependency,” says Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, adding that it is deemed necessary to set up initiatives such as the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa and its associated business plan to alleviate the phenomenon.
At continental level, the African Union has established a Coronavirus Fund with commitments already totaling 20 million USD while at national level, most African countries are implementing lockdowns, testing of suspected cases and contact tracing.
As African governments implement lockdowns in efforts to contain the spread, there are growing fears that prolonged lockdowns will have a negative impact on socio-economic activities.
“Our short-term response and support to member states at the AUDA-NEPAD is geared towards slowing down the pandemic, knowing more about how COVID-19 is spreading and lessening the socio-economic impact of the pandemic,” says Mayaki.
On April 13, AUDA-NEPAD will be launching its COVID-19 Response Plan of Action, through a webinar dubbed African Industrial Capacity Towards Critical Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies.
While ensuring the protection of Africa’s economic foundations, experts say the move is a proactive, efficient and direct response in enhancing continental coverage and improving access to sustainable and resilient health services.
This comprehensive set of responses which if expected to reach their full potential must be fully supported not only by institutional actors but also by the private sector and civil society, within the context of the principles of collective consciousness and shared responsibility.
By launching the COVID-19 Response Plan of Action, AUDA-NEPAD aims to set up, along with other African Union competent institutions, a coordinated and effective plan in addressing this exceptional health crisis.