{"id":5029,"date":"2025-05-19T16:18:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T14:18:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/derawetmedia.com\/?p=5029"},"modified":"2025-05-19T16:18:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T14:18:13","slug":"strategic-partnership-between-africa-cdc-and-unitaid-to-boost-health-product-manufacturing-in-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/derawetmedia.com\/?p=5029","title":{"rendered":"Strategic Partnership Between Africa CDC and Unitaid to Boost Health Product Manufacturing in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Geneva\/Addis Ababa \u2013 News Agencies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a move aimed at strengthening health security in Africa and achieving self-sufficiency in the production of medical products, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)<\/strong> and Unitaid<\/strong> have announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement<\/strong> on the sidelines of the 78th World Health Assembly<\/strong>. The agreement seeks to expand the manufacturing of medicines, diagnostics, and medical oxygen across the African continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This partnership comes at a critical time, as Africa faces serious health challenges. The continent bears 25% of the global disease burden<\/strong>, yet relies on imports for more than 95% of its active pharmaceutical ingredients<\/strong> and 70% of the medicines it consumes. Africa has only around 600 medical manufacturing facilities<\/strong>, compared to approximately 10,000 in India and 5,000 in China<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to support regional manufacturing of essential medical products<\/strong>, including diagnostic tools, treatments, and medical oxygen, while also building local capacity<\/strong> to produce medicines and innovative health technologies \u2014 particularly those developed within Africa. The partnership will focus on priority diseases<\/strong> such as HIV\/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, cervical cancer, and sexually transmitted infections, with an emphasis on diseases affecting women and children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Jean Kaseya<\/strong>, Director-General of Africa CDC, described the partnership as \u201ca crucial step toward building a strong and sustainable health future for the continent,\u201d adding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWe are relying on African expertise and expanding our production capacity to ensure essential health products are available, affordable, and closer to the communities that need them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For his part, Dr. Philippe Duneton<\/strong>, Executive Director of Unitaid, emphasized the importance of boosting Africa\u2019s capacity to meet its own health challenges:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cBy expanding regional production, we can reduce supply chain risks and ensure faster, more equitable access to life-saving products, while supporting the growth of Africa\u2019s pharmaceutical industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The partnership also aims to tackle regulatory, financial, and market-related obstacles<\/strong> that hinder local production and to improve pandemic preparedness<\/strong> by developing health tools that are designed, produced, and distributed within Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative will be implemented through a joint action plan<\/strong> with regular performance reviews to ensure progress and accountability. Key areas of cooperation include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n