The COVID-19 outbreak is a reminder that diseases do not respect borders or labels. Within months, the pandemic has affected nearly every person on the planet regardless of their age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. The global response must be similarly equitable, reaching beyond borders and benefiting all people everywhere
African countries have seen fewer cases than the rest of the world, but are preparing themselves for the worst. The pandemic has already caused devastating economic effects on the continent, and the African Union Commission has called on all nations to mobilize more resources to contain the disease. The African Union Youth Envoy recently launched a new initiative to empower Pan-African youth advocates called the African Youth Charter Hustlers initiative. This will engage African youth to lead continental, regional, and national advocacy and accountability.
To discuss responses to the pandemic and how it might affect African countries, we hosted a Twitter Q&A on our @ONEinAfrica channel with award-winning activist and AU Youth Envoy, Aya Chebbi and Dr Seth Berkley, the CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and an expert in infectious disease epidemiology and global health.
There has been a slew of initiatives and appeals announced to address the COVID-19 pandemic. What gaps do you think exist in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic so far?
I think more global solidarity & coordinated efforts is needed, this is the time where politicians need to focus on their primary job which is delivering the services for citizens and most affected communities #ONEWorld #COVID19
— Aya Chebbi (@aya_chebbi) April 9, 2020
A1: There’s a lot of discussion about developing a #COVID19 #vaccine as quickly as possible, but a danger of leaving gaps in terms of planning ahead to distribution for low-income countries. Those discussions must start now to ensure equitable access for future vaccines #ONEWorld
— Seth Berkley (@GaviSeth) April 9, 2020
COVID-19 has hit high-income countries hard, but African countries are seeing a number of cases and the impact is likely to be more dire due to weak health systems. How is Gavi working with the African Union and African countries to support their response?
All Gavi-supported countries can reallocate 10% of their health systems strengthening funding towards their #COVID19 response. This includes training health workers, infection control supplies & laboratory testing. We’re looking into increased funding flexibility. #oneworld
— Seth Berkley (@GaviSeth) April 9, 2020
This week @_AfricanUnion & @AfricaCDC launched “Africa COVID-19 Response Fund” as a public-private partnership to raise US$ 400 million for immediate needs to prevent transmission & support sustainable medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic #ONEWorld #COVID19
— Aya Chebbi (@aya_chebbi) April 9, 2020
Gavi played a significant role responding to recent Ebola and measles epidemics in Africa. What lessons can be learned from those responses as we address COVID-19?
We’ve learned how important it is to curb the resurgence of other infectious diseases like measles. Currently, routine immunization services have been disrupted, so we must plan ahead to boost vaccine coverage once lockdown measures are lifted. #VaccinesWork #oneworld
— Seth Berkley (@GaviSeth) April 9, 2020
The pandemic won’t just affect people’s health, it will also have an impact on education, food, job security and several other SDGs. What can be done urgently to avoid increasing poverty on the continent?
A4: Taking steps to maintain immunization coverage will play a critical role because vaccine-preventable diseases can tip families into poverty as caregivers often can’t work and have to pay high medical costs. #VaccinesWork to reduce poverty and boost economies. #oneworld
— Seth Berkley (@GaviSeth) April 9, 2020
What should African countries do to support epidemic preparedness, so we are better equipped to detect and respond to future epidemic threats?
A5: Investing in vaccines is vital 2limit the strain on medical resources during future outbreaks. Immunization campaigns help improve health system capacity, including disease surveillance & epidemic preparedness by bringing in hlth workers, data systems & cold chains. #ONEWorld
— Seth Berkley (@GaviSeth) April 9, 2020
1.Reform health infrastructures &mobilise sufficient domestic resources to enable health systems to meet our needs
2.Invest in medical research
3.Diversify our economies &industrialise(implement #CFTA)
4.Co-Leadership with youth using innovation &technology #ONEWorld #COVID19— Aya Chebbi (@aya_chebbi) April 9, 2020
Find out more about Gavi’s work and read about Aya’s fight for gender equality.
