By Nina Mitch
DR Congo: 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.
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.
This situation, unfortunately, further highlights the consequences of Africa’s reliance on imported finished generics and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
For a long time, the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD has been raising awareness about this over-dependency and has deemed it necessary to set up initiatives such as the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa and its associated business plan to alleviate the phenomenon.
At the continental level, the African Union has acted swiftly to establish a COVID19 Fund with commitments already totalling to USD20 million. At the national level of most African countries are implementing lock downs, testing (of suspected cases) and contact tracing.
The downside of these lock downs, if prolonged, Experts say they will have negative impact on socio-economic activities. In this regard, the AUDA-NEPAD has rallied a short-term response and support to Members States. This is geared towards slowing down the pandemic, knowing more about how COVID-19 is spreading and lessening the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on the citizens.
“AUDA-NEPAD is in the process of launching its COVID-19 Response Plan of Action. It is a comprehensive, coherent and multidimensional plan aimed at mobilizing the necessary human capacity and expertise of the Institution” said Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of AUDA NEPAD.
Adding “The AUDA-NEPAD COVID-19 Response Plan of Action is a proactive, efficient and direct response in enhancing continental coverage and improving access to sustainable and resilient health services while ensuring the protection of Africa’s economic foundations” said Dr. Ibrahim.
AUDA NEPAd noted the need for a 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.
