Leading African Voices - May Edition

Welcome to the May edition of our?Leading African Voices Newsletter,?where we feature the news and views from leaders across the continent over the past month. This edition highlights a selection of Leading African Voices (LAV) making significant strides in health innovation, research and development and driving economic progress across the continent.

TACKLING AFRICA’S HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES THROUGH EARLY ADOPTION OF AI

Accelerating Drug Discovery with AI

Prof. Kelly Chibale , University of Cape Town’s Neville Isdell Chair in African-centric Drug Discovery and Development, Founder and Director of the Holistic Drug Discovery and Development (H3D) Centre, launched the Africa HealthTech Podcast. This engaging series explores the transformative impact of AI in healthcare, tackling diseases like malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS.?

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The first episode, which premiered on World Malaria Day, features Leading African Voice?Prof. Rose Leke ,?Professor of Immunology and Parasitology and Chair of the Gavi Independent Review Committee, discussing the challenges of dealing with malaria in Africa and how progress against the disease has stalled. Prof. Chibale also highlights the work being done by the H3D Centre around AI and its potential contribution toward the fight against the disease.?Listen to the episode here.

IN SEARCH OF OUTSIZED IMPACT: INVESTING IN INNOVATIONS AND PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IN AFRICA

In this edition, Leading African Voice Prof. Samba Sow, Director General of the Center for Vaccine Development, Mali, shares his views on the catalytic investments in public health that can save lives.

Health and economic development are inextricably linked. Those with the highest incomes tend to have better health and longer life expectancy. In contrast, those with lower incomes are not only likely to suffer ill health from preventable diseases but also be driven deeper into poverty by the high cost of healthcare. What, in your opinion, can better, more affordable healthcare do for our societies?

Investing in health is not just a moral imperative — it makes economic sense. They say “health is wealth,” but health also creates wealth, because health and economic development go hand in hand.?

To create healthier and more prosperous societies, we must invest in systems that provide quality, accessible and affordable care and nutrition, particularly for women and children. By focusing on the foundational health needs of the most vulnerable - especially women, we can save lives, foster stronger communities and create thriving, more resilient economies. Healthy communities contribute to a more robust labor force, increased longevity, and greater economic stability. For example, a?World Economic Forum?report suggests that improving women’s health could add $1 trillion to the global economy annually by 2040 through increased labor participation and decreased healthcare costs. This equates to a 1.7% increase in per capita GDP annually.?

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With many African governments grappling with limited fiscal space and increased pressure from competing priorities, where do you see the most significant returns on investment from health expenditure?

Every two minutes, one woman dies due to pregnancy or childbirth. Many of these deaths are preventable with the right investments – maternal and newborn products, for example, have a high cost-benefit ratio. It is important to prioritize the right interventions that address the main drivers of mortality. Data shows that every $1 spent on a package of priority Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) interventions?generates $87 in societal return.?

Thanks to the power of science, we now have the tools and novel innovations we need to meet more women’s health needs, bring care closer to home and save the lives of more women and babies. I’m working with a group of partners and Ministers of Health on the continent intending to scale a set of 10 innovative products that prevent and treat postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), ensure healthy pregnancies and safe labor, and prevent complications in premature and vulnerable infants.

Solving only one part of the problem will not save a mother or baby’s life. However, when offered in bundles and supported by strong primary healthcare systems (PHC), these interventions have an outsized impact on the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and the maternal mortality ratio (MMR). For example, using AI-enabled ultrasound devices enables providers at the lowest level of care to identify high-risk pregnancies and refer women to specialty care. The use of a calibrated drape — a sheet used to collect blood and measure the amount of postpartum bleeding— for Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) detection, in combination with bundled first-line treatment (E-MOTIVE*) has been shown to reduce severe outcomes by ~60%.

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You mentioned innovations as an important part of quality care. What would be the best way to introduce these innovations into communities?

We must go beyond delivering healthcare interventions to ensure that what is on offer is culturally appropriate and community-supported.

I have always believed that a robust PHC system, supported by a capable and motivated workforce, is a strategic economic investment. Empowered midwives and community health workers recognized within national health systems and policies can offer education, support disease prevention, and ensure treatment adherence, all pivotal for under-resourced areas. Further, investing in women’s empowerment, supporting effective local decision-making, and coordinating sector-wide approaches across departments and development partners will foster trust, and increase uptake, and more efficient utilization of health services, all of which are critical to improving and enhancing public health.?

As health improves, particularly among women and children, we unlock significant social and economic benefits, ranging from increased educational attainment to greater economic participation, ultimately creating a cycle of progress that benefits us all.?

*The E-MOTIVE first-line treatment bundle includes uterine massage, medicines to contract the womb and stop the bleeding, intravenous fluid administration, an examination and, when needed, escalation to advanced care.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

African leaders unite in the call for an ambitious IDA21 replenishment?— The Government of Kenya and the World Bank Group co-hosted the?International Development Association (IDA) Summit?which saw 19 African Heads of State unite to call for an ambitious IDA21 replenishment. The summit marked the formation of a major partnership involving key stakeholders, dedicated to supporting a robust replenishment of IDA’s funds to boost Africa's development. Priorities include improving governance, stimulating private sector job creation, mobilizing domestic resources, and fulfilling climate commitments.?President William Ruto, and?World Bank Group President Ajay Banga?highlighted the urgent need to capitalize on this moment to advance Africa's prosperity and progress.

Celebrating 50 Years of Immunization: EPI’s Lifesaving Impact?— Over the past two decades, routine immunizations have prevented more than 17.3 million future deaths, primarily among children, highlighting vaccines' important role in improving public health and saving lives. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is honoring the legacy and ongoing mission of the EPI. Read more?here.

LOOKING AHEAD

3i Africa Summit, May 13-15?— The annual 3i Africa Summit will bring together stakeholders to explore the potential of Africa’s FinTech and Digital Economy. Organized by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Development Bank Ghana (DBG), in collaboration with Elevandi, this year’s theme is?“Unleashing Africa’s FinTech and Digital Economic Potential.”

ID4Africa Annual Meeting, May 21-24?— The African Identity and Global Identification for Development (ID4D) community will come together to explore how digital identity and aligned services can advance socio-economic development in Africa. Scheduled to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, this year’s theme is?“Digital Identity as DPI: Fostering Trust, Inclusion & Adoption.”

77th World Health Assembly, May 27-June 1?— This year, the 77th World Health Assembly will convene under the theme?“All for Health, Health for All.”?Stay up to date on the upcoming side events?here?and sign up for the?WHA newsletter?for regular updates.?

African Development Bank Meeting, May 27-31?— African Heads of State, ministers, and the development community will converge in Nairobi, Kenya, to reflect on the institution’s development commitments. This year’s theme is?“Africa’s Transformation, the African Development Bank Group, and the Reform of the Global Financial Architecture.”

International Day of Action for Women’s Health, May 28?— Women’s health advocates and communities worldwide will come together to raise awareness about women’s health concerns and their right to access high-quality healthcare on this day. ?