BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Health and Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC) was launched on Monday, a health development platform between the African and Caribbean regions to strengthen South-South cooperation.
Championed by the governments of Rwanda and Barbados, the new initiative is also intended to build institutional capacity within and between the areas to address pressing health challenges collectively.
A government statement said that the initiative stems heavily from the recognition that the burden of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic fell most heavily on developing countries, especially on women and children. The pandemic led to the reversal of health gains, including maternal mortality.
HeDPAC will focus on strengthening the two regions’ health workforce and sharing innovative solutions in primary health care, with a particular emphasis on climate resilience and maternal and child health.
Promoting technology transfer for pharmaceutical manufacturing, building regulatory capacity, and enhancing universal health coverage will be core HeDPAC strategies.
Dr. Haileyesus Getahun, who has a quarter-century of experience in global health and currently serves as Director of Global Coordination on Antimicrobial Resistance at the World Health Organization (WHO), is the first chief executive officer of HeDPAC.
“There is no better job in global health than to contribute to health equity for the most vulnerable,” said Dr. Getahun.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, an initiative champion, said, “COVID-19 exposed weaknesses in our health systems, but we also have the opportunity to address those challenges”, adding,” The time to act is now.”
Prime Minister Mia Mottley said, “COVID-19 left an indelible scar on our global solidarity and the right of all people to good health” and is also championing HeDPAC.
“It is our shared responsibility to ensure that the inequity of the global response to COVID-19 is not repeated. This action will allow us to help people where they need it most,” said Mottley, regarded as the other initiative champion.
Vice President of the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, Professor Senait Fisseha, said that establishing HeDPAC heralds a new global public health order to realize health equity through more outstanding political commitment and action.
“Through this collaboration, vulnerable countries and groups, including women and children, stand to benefit.”
Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the WHO is pleased to partner with HeDPAC to achieve universal health coverage for the people of Africa and the Caribbean.
“South-South cooperation can play a critical role in catalyzing a shared vision for health and exchanging best practices between nations.”
and then  was launched on Monday, a health development platform){kind=link}