The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have announced plans to bolster their collaboration and elevate the transformation of primary healthcare across Africa. During a meeting on the sidelines of the Islamic Development Bank’s annual meetings in Riyadh, AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the critical role of investing in the continent’s primary healthcare infrastructure, which they believe could address 85% of Africa’s healthcare challenges.
The impetus for this initiative stems from the lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic, where Africa faced significant hurdles in accessing medicines and vaccines. In response, the AfDB launched a $10 billion Covid-19 Response Facility, with $3 billion earmarked for enhancing healthcare infrastructure and another $3 billion dedicated to bolstering Africa’s pharmaceutical industry. This led to the establishment of the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation in Kigali, with Dr. Tedros serving on its Eminent Advisory Council.
Looking ahead, Dr. Adesina underscored the importance of preparing for future pandemics by investing in primary healthcare infrastructure. He outlined five key areas for building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem in Africa, including access to water and electricity for all healthcare centers, digitalization of health records, standardization of quality healthcare services, diversification of the business model to attract private sector investment, and incentivizing health insurance through improved service delivery.
Dr. Tedros echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for increased investment in health sector financing and policies, particularly at the primary level. He highlighted the role of primary healthcare in early detection and prevention of diseases, emphasizing the importance of strong surveillance systems.
Both leaders committed to collaborating closely to address these challenges and accelerate efforts to deliver quality primary healthcare across Africa. Their shared vision aims to create a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system that can effectively respond to future health crises while promoting the well-being of African communities.
