UNGA Decoded: Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma on African Health Leadership

Podcast Information:

• Title: UNGA Decoded
• Host/Author: Devex
• Episode: Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma on African health leadership
• Release Date: September 30, 2022

Introduction

The "UNGA Decoded" podcast by Devex delves into the pivotal discussions and developments surrounding the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In this episode, host Rajkumar engages with Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, the Acting Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), to explore Africa's strides toward self-reliant health leadership amidst global health challenges.

Revisiting the COVID-19 Pandemic: Key Lessons Learned

Dr. Ouma underscores the significant lessons Africa CDC has gleaned from the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Inherent Inequities in Global Health Systems:

   • [02:05] "When an outbreak is very big, the inequity translates into Africa being on its own. When the outbreak is small... Africa is still on its own."

2. Importance of Local Solutions and Collective Action:

   • [02:14] "If we come together, we can find local solutions... Our technical colleagues have been exceptional... We generated our own evidence and delivered concrete technical advice implemented at country level."

3. Securing Supply Chains:

   • [02:32] "If we don't secure our supply chain, then we cannot respond to any outbreak, small or big... We must secure the supply chain for everything we need."

These insights highlight the necessity for Africa to develop autonomous health strategies and infrastructures, reducing dependence on external systems that may falter during crises.

Africa CDC's Vision for a Self-Reliant Continent

Dr. Ouma elaborates on the Africa CDC's comprehensive strategy to bolster the continent's health security:

• Strengthening Institutions and Workforce:

  • [05:32] "Strengthening institutions on the continent, strengthening workforce so that they are fit for purpose..."

• Enhancing Domestic Resources and Infrastructure:

  • Emphasizing the need for robust domestic investment, not just financial but also in infrastructure and human capital.

• Fostering Private Sector Partnerships:

  • Encouraging collaboration with the private sector to amplify capacity and innovation within Africa's health systems.

Dr. Ouma emphasizes that while Africa aims for self-sufficiency, collaboration with international allies remains vital to address global health challenges effectively.

Autonomy in Declaring Public Health Emergencies

A significant milestone for Africa CDC is the forthcoming authority to declare public health emergencies autonomously:

• [08:00] "The amended Statute of Africa CDC in Article 3e gives the authority of declaring a public health emergency of continental security to Africa CDC... We will be in a position to declare an emergency by the end of the year."

This autonomy enables Africa CDC to respond swiftly to health crises without awaiting approvals from the African Union (AU), thereby minimizing delays that can exacerbate public health emergencies.

Broadening the Mandate: Tackling Chronic Diseases and Beyond

Beyond pandemics, Africa CDC 2.0 is set to address a spectrum of health challenges:

• Inclusion of Chronic and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):

  • [10:20] "Older pandemics like HIV, malaria, TB, NCDs, environmental health... will be part of the new Africa CDC mandate."

• Integrated Approach to Health Security:

  • Expanding the agency's role to encompass disease prevention, control, and collaboration with other sectors like agriculture and climate change.

This holistic approach ensures that Africa CDC not only manages acute outbreaks but also mitigates ongoing health disparities.

The African Medicines Agency (AMA): Complementing Africa CDC

Dr. Ouma discusses the synergistic relationship between Africa CDC and the African Medicines Agency (AMA):

• [12:39] "AMA is very complementary to Africa CDC's work because our responsibility of responding to disease threats will need concrete response from health products... AMA will ensure we have what we need for response and grow the manufacturing enterprise on the continent."

• Facilitating Local Manufacturing:

  • AMA will regulate and approve health products, fostering a conducive environment for manufacturing within Africa.

• Market Accessibility:

  • Collaborating with the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat to secure markets for locally manufactured health products, ensuring fair access and competition.

The establishment of AMA in Rwanda signifies a strategic move to integrate regulatory frameworks with Africa CDC's initiatives, promoting sustainable health product ecosystems on the continent.

Engaging Pharmaceutical Companies and Securing Supply Chains

Addressing the concerns of pharmaceutical companies, Dr. Ouma outlines strategies to attract and sustain manufacturing enterprises in Africa:

1. Streamlining Regulatory Processes:

   • [15:17] "Registration by one national regulatory authority with endorsement from the African Medicines Agency should suffice for other countries."

2. Ensuring Market Access:

   • [16:26] "Heads of states have directed that 30% of vaccine purchases come from African enterprises... translating this into concrete agreements."

3. Enhancing Supportive Services:

   • Focusing on infrastructure, such as reliable electricity and water, and building technical expertise to support manufacturing facilities.

Dr. Ouma emphasizes that simplifying regulatory environments and guaranteeing market access are pivotal in encouraging pharmaceutical companies to establish and expand their operations in Africa.

Capacity Building and Leveraging the African Diaspora

A cornerstone of Africa CDC's strategy is enhancing human capacity through education and diaspora engagement:

• Training and Knowledge Transfer:

  • [18:37] "Capacity building... transferring knowledge from the diaspora experts to local counterparts."

• Structured Education Initiatives:

  • Partnering with institutions like the University for Global Health Equity in Rwanda to provide world-class training within Africa.

• Collaborative Expertise Development:

  • Facilitating exchanges and training programs across African nations to foster a unified and competent health workforce.

This approach ensures that Africa's health systems are supported by skilled professionals who are well-versed in contemporary health challenges and solutions.

Leadership and the Future of Africa CDC

Discussing leadership transitions, Dr. Ouma touches upon the process of appointing a permanent Director General:

• [22:23] "The process of getting the new structure to be operationalized... is in the hands of the Africa Union Commission."

• Continuity and Progress:

  • As Acting Director, Dr. Ouma is committed to advancing Africa CDC's autonomy and capabilities until a permanent leadership is established.

• Collaborative Governance:

  • Ensuring seamless transitions and maintaining momentum in Africa CDC's initiatives during the leadership transition period.

Dr. Ouma expresses confidence in the Africa Union Commission's ability to appoint a Director General who will continue to steer Africa CDC toward greater self-reliance and effectiveness.

Conclusion

Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma provides an insightful perspective on the transformative journey of Africa CDC as it strides towards autonomous health leadership. By addressing systemic inequities, strengthening institutional capacities, and fostering regional collaborations, Africa CDC is poised to enhance Africa's resilience against current and future health challenges. The synergistic relationship with the African Medicines Agency and the strategic engagement with pharmaceutical companies further solidify the continent's path to self-sufficiency in health security. As Africa CDC continues to evolve, its commitment to capacity building and sustainable health infrastructure promises a robust and equitable health landscape for the continent.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma [00:37]:

  "If you look at all the mechanisms that are being put together to respond to what may be another pandemic, the same systems are still being used. And this in my view, will be a very big loss to opportunity."

• Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma [05:32]:

  "The consensus is that we must do things differently. There's consensus around that."

• Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma [08:00]:

  "The amended Statute of Africa CDC in Article 3e gives the authority of declaring a public health emergency of continental security to Africa CDC."

• Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma [12:39]:

  "AMA is very complementary to Africa CDC's work because our responsibility of responding to disease threats will need concrete response from health products."

• Dr. Ahmed Ogwell Ouma [18:37]:

  "We want to build that capacity in all areas, from R and D to technical work, to the management part of the whole manufacturing enterprise."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions from the podcast episode, providing a nuanced understanding of Africa CDC's strategic direction and the continent's pursuit of health sovereignty.