It seems Africa’s CDC is in a race against time, and money, to combat the growing mpox crisis that’s taking over the continent. The agency is now eyeing an ambitious $600 million budget to take on this outbreak. Well, six hundred million dollars. The head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Jean Kaseya, proudly declared on Thursday that they’re confident in raising this huge sum. How exactly?
The World Health Organization, always ready to issue a dire warning, declared mpox a global health emergency back in mid-August. Why? Because a new strain of the virus started spreading beyond its usual haunt in the Democratic Republic of Congo, wreaking havoc in neighboring countries. But now, it’s Africa’s problem to solve, and Kaseya is optimistic—perhaps overly so, about getting the funds.
What They Are saying
“If you want to know if I’m confident that we can raise $600 million, I will safely say yes,” Kaseya told reporters. Safely say? Given the circumstances, it seems more like wishful thinking. Back in August, the estimated cost for Africa’s response was $245 million. They had only secured about $20 million at that time, but now, suddenly, the price tag has more than doubled. Kaseya didn’t bother to explain why the cost has ballooned. Of course, that $600 million doesn’t even include the cost of vaccines. So where’s the extra money going? Your guess is as good as mine.
Kaseya, however, has a plan. Or rather, a vague hope that the money will come pouring in from African Union countries, international development partners, philanthropies, and the ever-benevolent private sector. GAVI, the international vaccine alliance, has apparently pledged some form of assistance, and the Africa CDC is also talking with The Pandemic Fund, a multilateral group that doles out cash for pandemic responses. Let’s hope these discussions lead to actual dollars.
Why It Matters
And in the grand scheme of things, there’s a silver lining, allegedly. Kaseya claims that transferring vaccine technology to Africa would lower the price of vaccines by a staggering 80-90%. A noble goal, indeed, but we’re still waiting to see if this plan holds water. Talks are reportedly underway with Danish biotech firm Bavarian Nordic to manufacture the mpox vaccine on African soil. The idea is to make the vaccine affordable for African countries. But, until then, it’s all just talk.
As for the current situation on the ground? It’s weak. Africa has seen over 26,000 suspected mpox cases this year, and 724 people have already died. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, children under the age of 15 are particularly vulnerable, accounting for about 60% of suspected cases and a heartbreaking 80% of deaths, according to UNICEF. It’s a tragedy, but as usual, the response seems to be more about meetings and pledges than actual action.
Bottom Line
Kaseya, always the optimist, plans to announce how much money has been raised at the U.N. General Assembly in New York later this month. Let’s hope for Africa’s sake, he has some good news to share, but don’t hold your breath.
