TICAD8 Side event

Partnerships for innovation, access and delivery: Strengthening health systems to advance pandemic preparedness and human security in Africa

24 August 18:00-19:30 JST / 10:00-11:30 CET – Virtual event
Co-sponsored by

Recording of the event

About the event

As the world faces multiple interconnected crises, including the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the global community is being tested in its commitment to “leave no one behind”. Global collaboration at unprecedented scale and speed is possible, as has been well demonstrated by the record pace set in the research and development of the multiple COVID-19 vaccines. Yet the availability of these vaccines only signals the start of a long journey towards equitable access. The deficiencies in our collective response to COVID-19 provide useful lessons for the future. The measures adopted now to address COVID-19 – from tackling the current inequities in global vaccine access, to the existing fragility of national health systems, and the need to protect the vulnerable and marginalized – will have significant implications for the outlook for sustainable human development and achievement of universal health coverage.

These lessons are critical for the design of an improved response to COVID-19 and to prevent future pandemics. The improved response must also not neglect other health priorities – including combating tuberculosis (TB), malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). These endemic diseases persist in many low- and middle-income countries, including in the Africa region, with significant health, economic and social consequences. In 2020, COVID-19 disruptions caused TB and malaria diagnoses to drop by 59 percent and 31 percent, respectively, and there were 1 million fewer people treated for TB and 45,000 additional malaria-related deaths. There is still an urgent need for safe and effective tools to prevent, diagnose and treat NTDs, which continue to impact 1.7 billion people worldwide. Access to health services for TB, malaria and NTDs should be regarded as a benchmark towards progress.

An approach that recognizes global health security as essential for realizing human security and sustainable development is needed, with a view to achieving universal health coverage. This approach requires an equitable pandemic response and strengthened health systems, while at the same time, enhancing prevention, preparedness and resilience for future outbreaks and pandemics. A crucial lesson from COVID-19 but also from the experiences of tackling AIDS, Ebola and SARS, amongst others, is that global cooperation and partnerships are vital for success. It is timely for the global community to marshal its combined resources to invest in innovative partnerships that can provide a foundation for effective and sustained action. This side event will bring together key national, regional and global actors to share insights on the measures and actions towards achieving health security. The discussion will address a range of issues, including financing, research and technology, manufacturing as well as regulation and delivery.

Visit the TICAD8 Conference website for more information.

Language interpretation is available in English, French and Japanese.

Speakers

Dr. Satoshi Ezoe Director, Global Health Policy Division, MoFA, Japan
Dr. Osamu Kunii CEO, GHIT Fund
Dr. Mandeep Dhaliwal Director, HIV, Health and Development Group, UNDP
Prof. Padmashree Gehl Sampath Senior Advisor to the President Pharmaceuticals and Health, African Development Bank Group
Dr. Cheikh Diagne Head of Operations, DIATROPIX Senegal
Prof. Margaret Gyapong Director of the Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana
Dr. Margareth Ndomondo-Sigonda Head of Health Programs and AMRH Coordinator, AUDA-NEPAD
Dr. Sultani Hadley Matendechero Head, Kenya National Public Health Institute