Key facts
- Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya urged African nations to increase their own financial investment in health.
- The call comes amid the worst-ever Ebola outbreak at this stage, with over 200 deaths and 894 confirmed cases.
The head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) called for increased investment in the continent's health sector, emphasizing the need for self-reliance in responding to outbreaks like the current Ebola crisis. Dr. Jean Kaseya stated that Africa must develop its own vaccines and medicines rather than depending on foreign aid.
The call for increased African self-funding in health response and vaccine development highlights the continent's vulnerability to epidemics and its ambition for greater health sovereignty. It underscores the critical need for sustainable funding mechanisms to address public health challenges effectively.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — African officials must increase their own financial contributions to respond to health crises and develop vaccines, particularly for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda, according to the continent's top health agency. Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya stated that the continent cannot continue to depend on foreign partners for its health needs.
The current outbreak, which has claimed over 200 lives out of 894 confirmed cases since May 15, is the worst ever at this stage, Kaseya told The Associated Press. He emphasized that Africa must invest more in its health sector to reduce reliance on external aid, drawing a contrast with how other continents would respond to similar outbreaks.
"We don’t want to be a continent begging every day. We want to be a continent of people who know what they are doing and who are respected because they are doing the right thing," Kaseya said.
Response efforts have been hampered by the lack of approved vaccines or treatments for the specific virus strain involved, which is different from the more common Zaire virus for which a vaccine exists. Health workers are facing immense challenges, including long hours and skepticism from residents in affected areas.
Africa, with a projected population of 2.5 billion by 2050, currently produces less than 1% of its vaccine needs and 3% of its medicine, leaving millions vulnerable. Kaseya expressed uncertainty about a vaccine being available by year-end.
The Africa CDC head also noted that the peak of the Ebola outbreak is likely still to come due to slow progress in identifying and monitoring contacts. Officials are still working to identify the initial patient zero and trace more than 35,000 individuals who have been in contact with infected people.
To bolster financial support, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to visit Congo's Ituri Province and Uganda next week. The newly established African Epidemic Fund has received pledges totaling approximately $80 million from African governments, and a broader donor conference this week generated pledges of about $910 million. Kaseya reiterated the importance of self-sufficiency in manufacturing medicines and vaccines to meet Africa's needs.