The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are forging a powerful partnership to transform healthcare across the continent. Their focus: strengthening primary care, the cornerstone of a robust health system.
This agreement comes after a sobering realization – Africa’s vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in its healthcare infrastructure. The continent struggled to access essential medicines and vaccines, highlighting the need for self-reliance.
“Investing in primary healthcare infrastructure can solve 85% of Africa’s healthcare problems,” declared Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB President. This ambitious goal is fueled by lessons learned from the pandemic.
The AfDB has already taken significant steps. Their $10 billion COVID-19 Response Facility bolstered regional efforts. Additionally, a $3 billion investment was approved for quality healthcare infrastructure and another $3 billion for building Africa’s pharmaceutical industry. This initiative led to the creation of the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation, positioned to meet the continent’s needs for essential medicines and vaccines.
“The pandemic may be over,” cautioned Dr. Adesina, “but we must be prepared for the next one. That means investing in primary healthcare.”
The two leaders outlined a five-point plan to build a sustainable healthcare ecosystem in Africa:
- Essential Utilities: Ensure all healthcare centers have access to clean water, sanitation, and reliable electricity. Currently, only half of primary healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa have access to clean water and sanitation, while electricity access remains even lower.
- Digital Transformation: Digitize record management and sharing across the health sector, fostering efficiency and improved care delivery.
- Standardization of Care: Standardize the quality of primary healthcare services and facilities, addressing the uneven distribution that leaves rural areas underserved.
- Financing and Investment: Shift the current model dominated by resource-limited governments. Attract private sector investment and ensure sustainable delivery of primary healthcare.
- Incentivize Insurance: With improved and accessible primary care, people will be more likely to invest in health insurance, creating a virtuous cycle of improved health outcomes and financial stability.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed Dr. Adesina’s sentiments. He emphasized the historical imbalance in donor funding, which often prioritizes service provision over infrastructure development.
“Strong surveillance at the primary healthcare level can detect and prevent outbreaks early,” Dr. Tedros explained. “Preparedness and response rely heavily on a robust primary healthcare system.”
Both leaders committed to a joint effort, directing their teams to collaborate on the outlined plan. Their focus: scaling up existing initiatives and accelerating the delivery of quality primary healthcare across Africa.
