Africa CDC Gets $100M Support from World Bank
ADDIS ABABA – Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC) is set to receive $100 million in financial support from the World Bank to strengthen continental response for current and future public health emergencies.
The bank approved the financial plan named the Africa CDC Support Program to Combat Current and Future Public Health Threats Project on Friday.
Today, the African continent is addressing 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.
Earlier this month, the AU executive council amended the Statute of Africa CDC, paving a way for the health agency to transition to an autonomous body of the pan-African bloc.
The World Bank said the Project “will be critical to support” the Agency’s transitions and solidify its role as a leading regional and global public health institution.
“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 our autonomous institution of the AU,” said Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, Acting Director of the Africa CDC.
“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.”
Through the project, the Africa CDC will build and maintain a robust public health workforce across countries’ health systems.
This includes strengthening leadership on the continental research and development and manufacturing agenda for vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
In addition, the bank said the project will help Africa CDC expand and strengthen its institutional footprint to provide tailored support to member states as well as its regional Collaborating Centers and network flagship programming such as laboratories and surveillance across subregions.
