The Saving Lives and Livelihoods programme was started by the Mastercard Foundation and Africa CDC a year ago. It is a $1.5 billion collaboration with four main goals:
1. To buy at least 65 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine
2. To encourage the distribution and administration of vaccines, which will result in millions more immunizations.
3. To build the framework for the production of vaccines by emphasising human capital development.
4. To increase Africa CDC's capability.
It has been demonstrated that the historic project, which was the greatest public health cooperation between an African university and a worldwide charitable organisation, was catalytic. The African Vaccine Acquisition Trust was able to negotiate and obtain 510 million doses for Africa from the Save Lives and Livelihoods commitment to acquire 65 million doses of vaccine.
The proposal also influenced the African Union Heads of State's selection of the Africa CDC as an independent public health organisation. Along with sending quick responders to speed up immunisation programmes in nations at danger of vaccine expiration, the effort has distributed over 15 million vaccinations across the continent since its inception.
Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, spoke at the one-year anniversary and emphasised that the next stage of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods programme will concentrate on translating vaccine deliveries into vaccinations.
"Vaccination uptake must be our main concern. It is a chance to collaborate with governments to aid in the establishment of immunisation facilities, train and assist healthcare professionals, and interact directly with people to understand the relevance of being immunised to protect their loved ones' lives and livelihoods," she stated.
As the continent seeks to reach its goal of having 70% of the population immunised by the end of this year, Dr. Ahmed Ouma, acting director of the Africa CDC, reaffirmed that COVID-19 immunisation remained a top priority. Six African nations have vaccinated between 40 and 70 percent of their populations, including two that have reached a vaccination rate of 70 percent. In Africa, fewer than 20% of the populace has received all recommended vaccinations.
Today, we celebrate the first year of the Mastercard Foundation's collaboration with the Africa CDC to buy, distribute, and promote long-term health security in Africa.
In light of the need for a reinforced Africa CDC and our National Public Health Institute, we reaffirm our commitment to and motivation for the new public health order. to raise spending on public health workers and educate the upcoming generation of leaders and professionals. Finally, he stated, "to increase local production of vaccinations, diagnostics, and treatments, which would guarantee rapid access and lower prices in the continent.
Given that young people make up 70% of Africa's population, Dr. Ahmed Ouma also stressed the significance of targeting vaccination campaigns towards them. Under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods project, the African Union and the Africa CDC recently introduced a campaign called Bingwa (a Swahili term meaning champion) to enlist young people as vaccination champions in their respective continents.
Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) will receive a lot of attention under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods project going ahead in order to help African residents, particularly young people and rural communities, comprehend the security and advantages of vaccination. The demand and adoption of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as other non-pharmaceutical initiatives to break the chain of transmission and lessen the pandemic's effects, will be greatly influenced by RCCE.
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