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The Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC) is an international health initiative focused on fostering South-South partnerships, with a primary emphasis on Africa and the Caribbean. It was established based on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of developing robust health systems to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
History
The first Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union (AU) took place virtually on September 7, 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, under the rotating presidencies of H.E. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados (for CARICOM), and H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta (for the AU). The summit addressed the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on both regions, primarily due to travel restrictions, exclusionary policies, and the hoarding of vaccines and other essential supplies. Leaders at the summit committed to enhancing collaboration and unity between the regions, emphasizing the cultural, historical, and political ties they share, along with common health challenges[1]
The concept for HeDPAC emerged from subsequent high-level discussions with the aim of establishing a politically viable and sustainable health partnership. The initiative seeks to leverage existing opportunities, institutional frameworks, and commitments to position health as central to economic development.
The Heads of Government of Barbados, Guyana, and Rwanda championed the creation of HeDPAC. Recognizing its significance, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) supported the initiative during its formative stages, incubating it at the WHO Headquarters from May 2022 to December 2023.
Launch
HeDPAC was officially launched on December 19, 2023, as an international not-for-profit organization registered in both Rwanda and Barbados. During the launch, it was announced that Dr. Haileyesus Getahun, with 25 years of experience in global health and formerly the Director of Antimicrobial Resistance at WHO, would serve as HeDPAC’s first CEO.[2]
Priorities
Health workforce development
HeDPAC aims to facilitate the exchange of innovative solutions and best practices across the Global South to address health workforce challenges such as education, employment, deployment, retention, and performance. It supports countries in integrating certified, salaried Community Health Workers (CHWs) into primary health care systems, complementing volunteer community health programs.
Resilient health systems
To achieve UHC, countries must build resilient health systems that ensure uninterrupted access to essential health services. A key aspect of HeDPAC’s approach is the establishment of strong primary health care foundations capable of maintaining services during emergencies and future pandemics. The initiative promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among like-minded governments, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean, to address health challenges through South-South partnerships.
Local manufacturing of health commodities
Pharmaceutical equity is central to HeDPAC’s mission. The initiative advocates for technology transfer to enhance self-reliance, improve access to affordable medicines, and drive economic growth in the regions it serves. HeDPAC also works with countries to develop innovative regulatory and procurement systems that strengthen the availability of health commodities.
Leadership
HeDPAC is led by prominent champions, including H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda; H.E. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; and H.E. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
Agenda Setting and Political Support
HeDPAC’s objectives and priorities were shaped through consultations with Health Ministers from Africa and the Caribbean. During the 73rd WHO Regional Committee meeting, participants welcomed HeDPAC’s vision and mission and emphasized the need for practical actions and exchanges between the two regions, especially in research and public health information. [3]
The 45th meeting of the Caribbean Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) in Washington, D.C., endorsed HeDPAC’s proposal to enhance regional capacity for the production and regulation of medicines, including vaccines and health technologies. The Council also accepted HeDPAC’s vision and mission, encouraging further expansion of its priorities.[4]
At the Forty-Seventh Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, held from July 28-30, 2024, in St. George’s, Grenada, HeDPAC received broad endorsement. Member states were urged to partner with HeDPAC to promote sustainable health development and capacity building through political, technical, and scientific collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean.[5]
HeDPAC was also presented at the 5th Ordinary Session of the African Union’s Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Health, Nutrition, Population, and Drug Control, held from August 5-7, 2024, in Addis Ababa. The STC report, composed by African Health Ministers, will be shared with the AU Summit, providing an opportunity to elevate HeDPAC’s profile among Heads of State and Government.[6]
Ministerial Networking and Collaboration
On May 29, 2024, HeDPAC hosted a Ministerial Networking Meeting in Geneva, bringing together Health Ministers from Africa and the Caribbean. This forum provided a platform for countries to exchange best practices and explore new strategies for achieving UHC and strengthening health partnerships across the two regions.[7]
[1] Final Communique 1st Africa-CARICOM Summit, 7 September 2021, Virtual
[2] www.hedpac.org
[3] AFR-RC73 Report of the Seventy-third session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, 28 August-1 September, Gaborone, Botswana
[4] Decision of the 45th Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), 22-23 September 2023, Washington DC, United States
[5] 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), 28-30 July 2024, St George’s, Grenada
[6] 5th Ordinary Session of The Specialised Technical Committee on Health, Nutrition, Population and Drug Control (STC-HPNDC-5), 5-9 August, 2024, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
[7] 77th World Health Assembly, 27 May - 1 June, 2024, Geneva, Switzerland