The EAC RCE-VIHSCM was delighted to participate in a consultative workshop organized by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from August 29-30, 2024. The event, which brought together regional stakeholders from across Africa, focused on developing the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM). The aim of the workshop was to call for collaboration between Africa CDC and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in driving the African Pooled Procurement initiative forward. These regional communities play a key role in coordination of the health products manufacturing agenda, and other existing initiatives in the region.
Representatives from several key RECs in attendance, included delegates from the East African Community (EAC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN SAD), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The EAC RCE-VIHSCM’s active participation underscored its commitment to advancing the health and pharmaceutical sectors within the region and beyond.
Progress on the EAC Pooled Procurement Mechanism
During the workshop, Dr. Stephen Karengera, the Director of EAC RCE-VIHSCM, delivered a presentation on behalf of the EAC, outlining the progress made in developing the EAC Pooled Procurement Mechanism (PPM) such as completion of a comprehensive market survey, identification of key tracer items for each Member State as well as the development and validation of an information-sharing platform for the procurement mechanism. This platform will serve as a vital tool in enhancing coordination and information exchange among stakeholders, ensuring a smoother, more responsive procurement process.
Dr. Karengera also updated participants about the Centre’s ongoing training, postgraduate and short course programmes offered to healthcare professionals in the EAC region and beyond.
The Next Phase of the EAC PPM
As the EAC progresses towards the next phase of the PPM establishment, the remaining key steps include the official launch of the procurement platform, the establishment of procurement sub-committees within each Member State, and the creation of a dedicated PPM Secretariat. With additional support from the African Development Bank, these developments will boost the EAC’s capacity to procure and distribute critical health products more efficiently and equitably across the region.