The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a historic Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure in Africa for the period starting from 2022-2030. This is in response to calls by the Bank’s Governors for the institution to define its role in addressing Africa’s health infrastructure deficits, highlighted by the ongoing pandemic.
According to the President of the Bank, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, the strategy focuses on three categories of health infrastructure that match the African Development Bank’s comparative advantage. It will also provide the flexibility to respond to the diverse needs of the member countries of the bank. He disclosed that the strategy will be anchored in national health systems by setting out three cross-cutting themes. These themes include: improve internet and communications technology connectivity, to strengthen health information systems and support innovation, promote regional collaboration and harmonizing health policies and regulation, and policy dialogue and technical assistance.
“We must give hope to the poor and the vulnerable, by ensuring that every African, regardless of their income level, gets access to quality health care, as well as health insurance and social protection.”
Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina
The President noted that the strategy is in line with one of the African Development Bank’s High 5 strategic priorities, such as improving the quality of life for the people of Africa. He added that it also echoes the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 regarding good health and wellbeing, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 plan to transform Africa into a global powerhouse. Dr. Adesina moreover asserted that the strategy forms part of broader efforts by the African Development Bank to expand access to healthcare on the continent.
COVID-19 Exposes African Health System
Dr. Adesina opined that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed “shortcomings in national health systems in Africa, overwhelming testing and treatment capacity”. He predicted that in future, Africa’s growing population will place further strain on its health infrastructure, because health facilities are unevenly distributed, with major gaps in rural areas. He thus, indicated that only half of primary healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa have access to clean water and adequate sanitation and only a third have access to reliable electricity.
Against this backdrop, the President estimated that a grossly underfunded healthcare system in Africa needs around $26 billion in annual capital investments. However, as part of its health agenda, the African Development Bank has committed to investing $3 billion in Africa’s pharmaceutical industry over 10 years. The Bank also launched a multibillion dollar COVID-19 Response Facility to support its regional members through the pandemic.
Dr. Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, welcomed the Board’s approval of the Strategy.
“The three pillars and cross cutting themes give the Bank the flexibility to respond to the diverse needs of different regional member countries in a more impactful and sustainable manner. The Quality Health Infrastructure for Africa Strategy sets out how the Bank will build up and consolidate its comparative advantage in health infrastructure and contribute to improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.”
Dr. Beth Dunford
In the intervening time, the Strategy was overwhelmingly endorsed via a series of consultations, including: health ministers of the Bank’s 54 regional member countries, development partners and civil society.
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