Reinforcing Pandemic Preparedness: Collaborative Efforts of BRICS, Africa CDC, and WHO for a Healthier Future

During the BRICS summit on August 28, 2023, representatives from the Ministry of Health in South Africa, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Africa Health Business, and the South African Chapter of the BRICS Business Council engaged in a discourse to establish a cooperative framework for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention, Response, and Recovery (3P2R) between the African Union (AU) and BRICS member nations.

Collaboration Framework

The dialogue involved participants from BRICS countries, business, civil society, development finance institutions, global health agencies, and AU specialized agencies. The purpose was to develop a collaborative, actionable, and implementable framework for AU and BRICS 3P2R. The participants emphasized learning from their experiences with pandemics, identifying existing capabilities while recognizing the gaps that require attention for adequate pandemic preparation and response.

Impact on Global Health Security

The expanding BRICS family, representing over half of the global population, and the growing interconnectedness of human and animal populations, climate change, and the increasing frequency of infectious disease outbreaks highlight the fundamental impact of AU and BRICS nations’ ability to contain diseases on global health security.

Equitable Access to Medical Countermeasures

The participants recognized the value of the “Johannesburg Process,” which facilitates stakeholder engagements for interim medical countermeasure coordination mechanisms and complements the work of the World Health Organization and other formal processes. The participants identified collective capabilities such as medical and digital technologies, human resource potential, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, contributing 60% of COVID-19 vaccine products.

Collaboration and Resource Allocation

The participants proposed opening the entire expanded BRICS and AU market to pharmaceutical manufacturers within the regions, diversifying manufacturing, supporting Africa’s manufacturing targets, developing primary health care, and improving last-mile delivery. The participants emphasized the importance of placing people and communities at the center of 3P2R deliberations.

Key Actions Proposed

The dialogue resulted in a proposal to establish a BRICS PPPR fund through the New Development Bank and convene at the Conference on Public Health in Africa (CPHIA 2023) to agree on an AU and BRICS cooperative framework. This collaboration would involve newly announced additional BRICS members and all AU member states.

The commitment to collaboration and combined efforts promises to strengthen pandemic preparedness and global health security in the face of evolving challenges. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, stressed the importance of this dialogue in reinforcing health security and adaptability across national boundaries. South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr. Joe Phaahla, emphasized the need for BRICS countries to promote digital health technologies and implement legislative measures for PPPR.