EAC seeks $45m for production of medicines, vaccines
The East African Community is seeking $45 million in funding to bolster local production of vaccines and medicines to reduce reliance on external suppliers. Germany has pledged support for these health security initiatives and regional climate projects.
Why it matters
Regionalizing medical supply chains is a strategic move to improve pandemic preparedness and economic resilience in East Africa.
The East African Community (EAC) is stepping up efforts to strengthen regional health security seeking funding to boost local production of medicines, vaccines and essential medical supplies and reduce dependence on external suppliers, and improve preparedness for disease outbreaks.
EAC Secretary-General Stephen Mbundi said greater investment in regional manufacturing capacity was critical to ensuring reliable access to essential health products and enabling partner states to respond more effectively to public health emergencies, including Ebola and other highly infectious diseases.
The push comes as the bloc seeks about $45 million from development partners to strengthen regional preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks, while Germany has pledged €7.8 million ($8.75 million) towards the EAC’s health emergency response and an additional €3 million ($3.36 million)-€5 million ($5.61 million) for regional climate change projects.
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