On Tuesday 21 April, the European Union and the African Union (AU) announced the launch of three initiatives aimed at strengthening national public health institutes, improving health security and developing digital health in Africa. More than €100 million has been made available as part of the ‘Global Gateway’ strategy.
These funds will be used to support essential public health functions (disease surveillance, early warning, emergency response, research and laboratories) in ten African countries, as well as to strengthen health security through a ‘One Health’ approach, including the fight against antimicrobial resistance and skills development.
The partnership also includes the extension of digital health solutions for pandemic preparedness and primary care in six countries.
The initiatives will be implemented with AU Member States, Team Europe and a number of technical and scientific partners, including the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (ICARS), the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)