Completed Infection & Immunity Public Health & Healthcare

Africa CDC Response to COVID-19

Funder Wellcome/DFID Charity-funded
Recipient organisation Institut Pasteur de Dakar
Funding £2.0M
Period Apr 2020 — Apr 2021

In plain English

AI plain-English summary

On February 22nd, 2020, all 55 African health ministers agreed on a continent-wide strategy to fight COVID-19. This matters because Africa faces a unique challenge: a vast, diverse continent with fragile health systems that could be overwhelmed by a pandemic’s peak. The strategy, implemented through the Africa Coronavirus Task Force, focuses on six technical areas to limit transmission and minimise harm. As of March 15th, 2020, over 26 countries had reported more than 250 cases. The core problem is executing these tactics across a region at high risk of social and economic disruption. If this succeeds, Africa CDC’s coordination through the African Union and its five Regional Collaborating Centres could delay and diminish outbreak peaks. This would give health systems time to manage patient surges and allow communities to adapt to disruptions in social, cultural, and economic activities. The work complements WHO’s global response, using Africa CDC’s unique political position to support member states. The primary challenge remains execution, not strategy.

View original technical description
The African Union, Africa CDC, in collaboration with WHO on Febraury 22nd, 2020 convened an emergency meeting of all 55 ministers of health to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic. At the end of the meeting, they agreed on a continent-wide strategy for COVID-19 that will allow for greater coordination, collaboration, cooperation and communication. The strategy focuses on six major technical areas and is implemented through and endorsed Africa Coronavirus Task Force (AFCOR). As of 15 March 2020, over 26 countries have reported greater than 250 cases. In Africa, the primary strategy for COVID-19, therefore, is based on limiting transmission and minimizing harm. Delaying and diminishing the peak of outbreaks can help health systems better manage the surge of patients and communities better adapt to the disruption of social, cultural, and economic activities. In order to compliment WHO’s efforts to respond to COVID-19, Africa CDC is uniquely positioned to support Member States through its presence within the African Union, the highest political body in Africa, and its five Regional Collaborating Centers. The primary challenge now is executing these tactics in a continent that is large, diverse, and at high risk of social and economic disruption from a pandemic.

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Researchers

Amadou Sall (EPMC Awardee)

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Original classification

Research Grant

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