AYV News, September 25, 2024
A group of international health experts, including Ibrahim Abubakarr from University College London, Julius Lutwama from Uganda Virus Research Institute, Catherine Kyobutungi from Africa Population and Health Research Centre and Osman Sankoh from the Centre for Health Research and Training, University of Management and Technology, Sierra Leone, have published a significant Policy Paper in The Lancet, titled: “Mpox Global Emergency: Strengthening African Leadership.”
The resurgence of the Mpox virus across 15 African countries in 2024 has led to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declaring it a continental emergency. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recognised it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Between January and mid-September 2024, there were over 6201 confirmed cases and 32 deaths, disproportionately affecting children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Paper highlights the urgent need for African leadership to take a central role in the response, calling for the rapid implementation of the Mpox Continental Preparedness and Response Plan co-led by WHO and Africa CDC.
The plan, with a budget of $0.6 billion, emphasises ten key pillars of action but requires effective leadership, transparent communication, and domestic funding to ensure success.
The authors advocate for collaboration between local civil society, international partners, and governments to develop a coordinated and contextually appropriate response.
Key challenges outlined in the report include the reliance on donor funding, gaps in the availability of skilled healthcare workers, and misinformation regarding disease transmission. The paper calls for African governments to bolster local manufacturing of vaccines and diagnostics, and for enhanced research efforts that integrate a One Health approach, focusing on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
“The African response must be driven by its leadership, leveraging local knowledge, and ensuring culturally relevant interventions,” said Prof. Osman Sankoh. The authors emphasise that lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic must guide future strategies to build resilient health systems capable of addressing future outbreaks effectively.
The Paper brings together experts from multiple disciplines to address one of the most pressing public health concerns in Africa today. Their collaborative research underscores the importance of self-reliance, innovation, and sustainable strategies in tackling global health emergencies.
