Washington D.C., USA – September 20, 2024 – In a significant move towards global health equity, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has officially partnered with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The agreement signifies a concerted effort to ensure equitable access to essential medicines, vaccines, and other crucial health technologies across the Americas and Africa.

This collaboration aims to leverage PAHO's Regional Revolving Funds, enhancing regional regulatory frameworks, innovation, and production mechanisms. Both organizations are committed to contributing to the development of an African pooled procurement mechanism, ultimately promoting local manufacturing of essential health supplies.

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director, emphasized the need for increased resilience in health systems in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated, “Our goal is to create a more resilient region by boosting regional manufacturing capacities and providing innovations to reduce dependency on global responses during emergencies or future pandemics.” This partnership comes at a crucial time as health authorities across the globe seek to fortify health systems against emerging threats.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Today marks a new chapter in our partnership. United by our shared missions to support member states and enhance health systems, we look forward to a robust collaboration that prioritizes global health security.” He highlighted how PAHO’s expertise in optimizing pooled procurement mechanisms will be invaluable for Africa CDC's efforts, especially concerning the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM) aimed at improving access to quality and affordable health products.

The partnership was solidified during the first official visit by a high-level Africa CDC delegation to PAHO Headquarters, which included discussions on the “Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing” (PAVM). This initiative aims to ensure that by 2040, African manufacturing can meet over 60% of the continent’s vaccination needs, inherently reducing reliance on external suppliers.

Key topics during the meeting included demand consolidation, logistical planning, and strategies to strengthen regional production capabilities. Africa CDC also shared its current operational plans surrounding Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), focusing on collaborative efforts to ensure the availability of life-saving vaccines and reduce mortality rates.

As the two organizations forge ahead together, they anticipate fostering innovations that not only address immediate public health challenges but also pave the way for long-term improvements in health outcomes. Both Dr. Kaseya and Dr. Barbosa expressed excitement about the opportunities inherent in this union, underscoring a shared commitment to enhance health access for all.

In addition to this partnership, the collaboration is expected to stimulate south-south cooperation, harnessing the wealth of opportunities both regions provide. With a united front, PAHO and Africa CDC are poised to make significant strides in public health, ensuring that essential health technologies reach communities in need across continents.

Stay tuned as this collaboration unfolds and potentially transforms access to health care in both the Americas and Africa.