Why cooperation on public health is important
The pandemic shows the issue of health knows no borders. International cooperation is key to tackling this challenge, making coordination among African and European countries to protect people’s health crucial, both during a crisis and in normal times when we can tackle underlying health conditions, invest in strong health systems and train the healthcare workforce.
Since 2003, the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) is funding clinical research for medical tools to detect, treat and prevent poverty-related infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP)
The European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) is a public-public partnership between 16 African and 14 European countries, supported by the EU. EDCTP is fully embedded in the AU-EU HLPD.
European COVID-19 Data Platform
The platform allows the scientific community to share, analyse, and process data rapidly, openly and effectively across the globe. The COVID-19 Data Portal was launched in April 2020 to bring together relevant datasets for sharing and analysis in an effort to accelerate coronavirus research.
African participation is expressively welcome. Experts underline the importance of linking the platform with the African Open Science Platform.
Coronavirus Global Response
An initial group of global health actors launched a call to action for global collaboration for the accelerated development, production and equitable global access to new coronavirus essential health technologies. In April 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) and an initial group of health actors launched a collaboration for the accelerated development, production and equitable global Access to COVID-19 Tools, the ACT Accelerator.
The Commission responded to this call by joining forces with global partners to host a pledging event, the Coronavirus Global Response Initiative in May 2020. The event raised €15.9 billion for tests, treatment and prevention for the global recovery.