The covid-19 pandemic: research and health development in the World Health Organisation Africa region

Concerns have been expressed about the view point of WHO AFRO concerning research for health in the African Region. WHO AFRO considers research a critical component in the improvement of health in the Africa region. Ensuring the effectiveness of our strategies, policies and programmes requires evidence. In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, WHO research interests cover key areas of the response. The WHO AFRO consider research as critical in our efforts at protecting people against health emergencies and pandemics like the COVID-19 and ensuring universal access to proven interventions. In view of this, the WHO has taken steps to strengthen capacity for research in the region. The results of these efforts may take time to manifest but will surely do as we persist in our drive, with support from our partners

Establishment of the African Public Health Emergency Fund

The Regional Committee; by resolution AFR/RC61/R3 requested the Regional Director to set up the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF) including taking appropriate actions to ensure that the fund is fully operational. The resolution also requested the Regional Director to report regularly to the Regional Committee on the operations of the APHEF. The first progress report was submitted to; and discussed by; the Sixty-second session of the Regional Committee in Luanda; Angola; in 2012. The members of the Monitoring Committee of the Fund (MCF): the Ministers of Health of Gabon; Namibia and Nigeria; the Ministers of Finance of Algeria; Cameroon and South Africa; and the Chairman of the Programme Subcommittee; were appointed at the Sixty-second session of the Regional Committee. In the actions proposed in the first progress report submitted to the Regional Committee; the Regional Director was requested to convene the first meeting of the MCF to deliberate on the modalities for the commencement of operations of the APHEF. Furthermore; the Sixty-second session of the Regional Committee reiterated the mandate to the Regional Director to continue African Development Bank to take up the proposed role of Trustee of the APHEF. In the interim; WHO was designated to mobilize; manage and disburse contributions to the APHEF using its financial management and accounting systems

Implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) in the African Region

The International Health Regulations (IRH; 2005) are a legally binding international instrument for preventing and controlling the spread of diseases internationally while avoiding unnecessary interference with international travel and trade. Under the IHRs that were adopted on 23 May 2005 and entered into force on 15 June 2007; Member States have agreed to comply with the rules therein in order to contribute to regional and international public health security. Obligations also include the establishment of IHR National Focal Points (NFP) defined as a national centre designated by each Member State; and accessible at all times for communication with WHO IHR Contact Points. Furthermore; Member States were requested to designate experts for the IHR roster; enact appropriate legal and administrative instruments and mobilize resources through collaboration and partnership building. The Fifty-sixth session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa called for the implementation of the IHR in the context of the regional Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy considering the commonalities and synergies between IHR (2005) and the IDSR. They both aim at preventing and responding to public health threats and/or events of national and international concern. This document discusses the issues and challenges and proposes actions that Member States should take to ensure the required IHR core capacities are acquired in the WHO African Region