Africa May Lose $22.4bn to Poor Disease Surveillance
World Health Organisation (WHO) has said countries in Africa may likely suffer drastic consequences including $22.4 billion economic burden over the next decade if nothing was done to push up Vaccine-Preventable Disease (VPD) surveillance in the African Region between 2020 and 2030.
WHO, however, said an investment of $470 million over the next one decade could save over 700,000 lives, prevent 20 million people from falling ill to vaccine-preventable diseases, and save $21 billion over the next 10 years.
The global organisation, in its newly launched Investment Case for Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance in the African Region, 2020-2030, said there’s need for countries to invest in disease surveillance efforts to avert health crisis.
This was disclosed at a high-level “Reaching the Last Mile Forum” in Abu Dhabi on November 19 by the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.
WHO, in a statement yesterday, said VPD surveillance was a critical component of the integrated disease control strategies, describing early surveillance as an effective way to detect and respond early to outbreaks and mitigate their impact on national security, the local economy and public health systems.
“Yet countries in the African Region still face major challenges in both the strategic planning and operation of their surveillance systems,” the statement noted.
WHO also called for increased domestic investment in VPD surveillance, under the overall umbrella of integrated disease surveillance and response, from countries in the African region.
The statement noted that resources for VPD surveillance have declined remarkably over the past two years, just as domestic surveillance expenditure in the African region remains low – funding for disease surveillance was urgently needed, now more than ever.
Speaking at the launching, Moeti called on governments in Africa to invest in strong disease surveillance systems that “will ensure early detection and response to risks and outbreaks.