AHF Calls for Equity in Global Health as Africa Prepares for WHO Pandemic Agreement Talks

AHF Calls for Equity in Global Health as Africa Prepares for WHO Pandemic Agreement Talks The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has urged African leaders to take a firm stand for equitable terms in global health security by advocating for fair agreements prioritizing all nations, especially those in the Global South.

This call comes ahead of the upcoming World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Agreement negotiations set for November 4-15, 2024, as part of AHF’s “Save Our Society” (SOS) campaign. The proposed Pandemic Agreement aims to secure equitable access to resources like vaccines and diagnostics in future pandemics. AHF’s statement highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed stark inequalities, as over 85% of African countries struggled to vaccinate their populations while wealthier nations stockpiled vaccines.

AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, stressed that “African leaders must demand equity at the core of the agreement,” advocating for regional manufacturing hubs, technology transfer, and sustainable financing to bolster Africa’s health resilience.

AHF emphasized that Africa must secure the means to independently produce vaccines and health commodities, reducing reliance on external suppliers. “Africa’s leaders have a crucial opportunity to influence the WHO Pandemic Agreement’s final terms,” the foundation stated, calling for binding commitments to technology transfer and sustainable funding from high-income countries. The foundation also demands enforceable provisions to ensure that technology transfer is not limited to voluntary terms, allowing low- and middle-income countries the same leverage as wealthier nations. Additionally, AHF advocates for the inclusion of civil society in global health governance, recognizing its role in fostering accountability and a more inclusive global health security system.