AfDB approves historic health infrastructure strategy
BUSINESS REPORTER
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) board of directors has approved a strategy to boost health infrastructure in Africa after it was stretched by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The plan, Strategy for Quality Health Infrastructure in Africa 2022-2030, is a first for the bank and was developed in response to a call by the Bank’s Governors for the institution to define its role in addressing Africa’s health infrastructure deficits.
The strategy focuses on three categories of health infrastructure that match the AfDB’s comparative advantage, providing the flexibility to respond to the diverse needs of its African member countries.
It will be anchored in national health systems and sets out three cross-cutting themes: improved internet and communications technology connectivity, to strengthen health information systems and support innovation; promoting regional collaboration and harmonising health policies and regulation; and policy dialogue and technical assistance.
“We must give hope to the poor and the vulnerable, by ensuring that every African, regardless of their income level, gets access to quality health care, as well as health insurance and social protection,” said AfDB’s president Akinwumi Adesina.
The strategy is in line with one of the AfDB’s High 5 strategic priorities, namely improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.
It also echoes the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 regarding good health and well-being, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 plan to transform Africa into a global powerhouse. In addition, it forms part of broader efforts by the African Development Bank to expand access to healthcare on the continent.
The Covid-19 pandemic has further exposed shortcomings in national health systems in Africa, overwhelming testing and treatment capacity.
In future, Africa’s growing population will place further strain on infrastructure. Health facilities are unevenly distributed, with major gaps in rural areas.
It is estimated that half of primary healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa have access to clean water and adequate sanitation and only a third have access to reliable electricity.
Against this backdrop, a grossly underfunded healthcare system in Africa needs around US$26bn in annual capital investments.
As part of its health agenda, the AfDB has committed to investing US$3bn in Africa’s pharmaceutical industry over 10 years.
The bank also launched a multibillion dollar Covid-19 Response Facility to support its regional members through the pandemic.
Beth Dunford, AfDB’s vice Agriculture, Human and Social Development, said the three pillars and crossing cutting themes give the bank the flexibility to respond to the diverse needs of different regional member countries in a “more impactful and sustainable manner”.
“The Quality Health Infrastructure for Africa Strategy sets out how the Bank will build up and consolidate its comparative advantage in health infrastructure and contribute to improving the quality of life for the people of Africa,” Dunford said.
The strategy has been endorsed via a series of consultations, including with health ministers of the bank’s 54 regional member countries, development partners and civil society.
