South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead fundraising for the Africa Epidemics Fund — a new pool of finance to assist countries in preparation and response to disease threats on the continent.
This is an African Union effort aimed at ensuring African nations are not left scrambling for resources to ensure health security of populations — as was the case at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Acting Director Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma said he expects this fund will give the pan-African public health agency “very much-needed relief” in accessing health system strengthening resources, “so that Africa is always ready.”