AU sets up regional coronavirus task forces
President Cyril Ramaphosa and other continental leaders agreed on the establishment of regional coronavirus task forces during a teleconference at the weekend.
The issue of the taskforces was discussed during a meeting of the African Union (AU) Bureau.
In this weekly newsletter ‘From the Desk of the President’, Ramaphosa explains that the task forces will be working all five continental regions.
“They will oversee screening, detection and diagnosis, infection prevention and control, clinical management of infected persons and communication and community engagement.
“However, Africa is facing a severe shortage of coronavirus test kits, medicines, face masks and other personal protection equipment. We are therefore working with the WHO, Africa CDC and various world leaders to mobilise international support for Africa, to enable the flow of vital supplies into the continent and to significantly increase local production in African countries.”
The president says an African Union Covid-19 Response Fund, to which AU Bureau members already committed $12.5 million, was also established.
Funding for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which is driving Africa’s response to the outbreak, is expected to be increased by an additional $4.5 million.
Over 7 800 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in nearly 50 African countries.
From the desk of the President, Monday, 6 April 2020 - https://t.co/TDSkMJ9yKe . One thing we have learnt about the coronavirus over the last three months is that it does not respect borders. It has spread across Asia, Europe, North, Central and South America and Africa. pic.twitter.com/ZDExRKO4b7
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) April 6, 2020