African countries have been urged to strengthen self-reliant health systems and reduce dependence on foreign funding to tackle recurring public health crises.
The call was made by the Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Dr Jean Kaseya, at the opening of the 75th World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Lusaka, Zambia.
Addressing health ministers and regional leaders, Dr Kaseya outlined Africa CDC’s efforts to reduce external dependency and advance regional collaboration. He said progress depended on “strengthening health financing, expanding local manufacturing, and fostering unity among African nations.”
Dr Kaseya highlighted the continent’s response to outbreaks such as Mpox and cholera, pointing to Africa CDC’s work with WHO in setting up a continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST).
“One year ago, I declared Mpox a PHECS. Together with WHO, we established and co-lead the continental Incident Management Support Team, bringing together 30 partners to successfully support affected countries. IMST has become a model of partnership and delivery, now leading the response to cholera,” he said.
He warned that the continent continued to face two critical obstacles: “For all outbreaks, we are facing two major challenges – lack of medical countermeasures and lack of sustainable funding. Each year, Africa loses over 240 billion dollars importing health commodities. Even when money is available, access remains uncertain.”
Dr Kaseya also cautioned that conflict remained a major driver of disease spread, citing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where Mpox has surged in areas affected by war.
“Excellencies, peace and health are inseparable. Epidemics thrive in conflict. That is why Africa CDC worked to integrate health into the peace agreement for Eastern DRC. This will channel nearly three billion dollars into investment in health security for the region, including Zambia. It proves that peace without health is fragile, and health without peace is unsustainable,” he said.
Turning to continental unity, Dr Kaseya said Africa must learn from how other regions defend collective interests.
“Africa has the vision, the champions, the institutions, and the people. What we need is true solidarity and true unity. Our people demand us come together. Our history demands no less. And our future will forgive nothing less,” he said.
He added: “Europeans unified their voice to negotiate through the European Union 15% of taxes. Without invitation, European leaders flew to Washington to defend their collective interest over Ukraine. Us as Africans, we need to stand up and raise our voice when others are facing taxes that harm their economies or asked to pay 15,000 USD to secure a visa. We all know that Africa cannot prosper in isolation. Unity and solidarity are instruments of our common survival.”
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