The African Health Budget Network (AHBN) has taken a significant step towards strengthening health security across the continent with the launch of its innovative health security accountability framework and scorecard.
The bold initiative aims to address the glaring weaknesses exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, where many African countries relied heavily on international donors to respond to the crisis.
This was disclosed at the end of a three-day technical peer review retreat on strengthening accountability of health security finances in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Senegal, on Saturday in Abuja.
The framework seeks to enhance transparency and readiness across the continent, particularly in the face of ongoing health crises like cholera, Mpox, and Lassa fever, by improving prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery measures, promoting local vaccine production, and bolstering research in Antimicrobial Resistance.
According to Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, Coordinator of AHBN, the framework is designed to foster greater accountability and ensure that health security is prioritized at both national and regional levels.
Garba said, “The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant weaknesses in Africa’s health security, with many countries relying heavily on international donors to respond to the crisis. Lack of preparedness and poor coordination across African nations resulted in severe delays in detecting and responding to the pandemic.”
Dr Opeyemi Adeosun, Programme Manager of Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HRFN), highlighted the inadequate budget allocation to health security as a key challenge, noting that many countries, including Nigeria, allocated little or no funding to health security efforts in their national budgets.
The AHBN’s new scorecard aims to reverse this trend by encouraging increased budgetary commitments and prudent spending.
Mohammed Usman, Founder of the Lafiya Wealth Initiative, commended the Africa CDC for strengthening the capacity of African nations to respond to health crises through the creation of Technical Working Groups.
Ndi Nancy Saiboh, Executive Director of Actions for Development and Empowerment, Cameroon, stressed the importance of a robust accountability system in preventing future pandemics.
“African countries continue to face threats from diseases like Ebola, cholera, and Mpox. It is not just about responding to crises when they happen; it is about being prepared and having a transparent system in place to track progress,” Saiboh said.
The health security scorecard will provide a transparent way to measure progress on key indicators, including financing, governance, vaccine production, and biosafety, with quarterly updates presented to key stakeholders.
This initiative is a significant step towards building stronger, more resilient health systems across Africa, enabling governments, development partners, and civil society organizations to monitor financial and non-financial commitments more effectively.
By addressing the weaknesses exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the AHBN’s Health Security Accountability Framework and Scorecard will contribute to a safer, healthier Africa.
The AHBN’s efforts have been praised by health experts and stakeholders, who recognize the urgent need for improved health security on the continent.
“This initiative is a game-changer for Africa’s health security,” Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa said.
The AHBN’s health security accountability framework and scorecard are available online, providing a valuable resource for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders committed to enhancing health security in Africa.
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