Partner Webinars

The summit “Ports to Arms” Africa, responding to the COVID-19, Equity, Delivery, and Manufacturing, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Was attended by amongst others,  Honourable Manaouda Malachie, Minister of Public Health of Republic of Cameroon, Dr Mercy Mwangangi, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Health Kenya, Dr Juan Pablo Uribe, Global Director for Health Nutrition and Population and Director of the Global Financing Facility for Women, World Bank and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO), the leadership of GAVI and CEPI and several Nigerian State Governors

On day-two of the Ports To Arms Summit, Civil Society delivered a statement outlining concerns of equitable access to medicines for Africa.

The demands were made with four overarching thematic areas, these were:

1. Short-term actions for a more equitable COVID-19 response
2. Improved accountability
3. The need to harness African local production
4. Addressing roots of systemic and inequitable access

Link to YouTube

Day 1 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D24U8DKpOTY&t=1561s

Day 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ggs-ADo8z4

Guest Speakers:

• Githinji Gitahi: Group CEO of AMREF Health Africa
• Catherine Kyobutungi: Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Center
• Muhammed Lamin Saidykhan: Management Strategist/Movement Coordinator at Africa Rising

This was the final webinar in a series organized by the African Alliance, Health Justice Initiative, and the People’s Health Movement. The final webinar highlighted the African solidarity we believe is required to get us out of our continent’s situation in terms of COVID-19 response. As much as we have rightly focused on the greed of pharmaceutical companies and the selfishness of rich country leaders, the group decided (at the encouragement of the PVA Africa membership) that this would be a good opportunity to focus some of our critiques inward and reflect on what accountability and domestic responses to the global pandemic might look like in our regional context.

Link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/FZD2e751aFA

Join the African Alliances Tian Johnson as they speak with Professor Linda- Gail Bekker, head of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF) and Unit Head of the UCT Lung Institute & Head of the Division of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Associate Professor Jonny Peters.

For additional basic facts about blood clots, the pause, and what this means going forward for the Global response to COVID-19, check out this fact sheet: https://africanalliance.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/AA_vacciNATION_Downloadable-PDF.pdf

Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/r2UIpXn1bjY

, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems. 

Established in 1952 and active on the five continents, the ICJ aims to ensure the progressive development and effective implementation of international human rights and international humanitarian law; secure the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights; safeguard the separation of powers; and guarantee the independence of the judiciary and legal profession.

Tian had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the consultation and involvement of communities during a process such as COVID-19 vaccine development or trial. They also spoke of how we need to ensure that community participation is represented, taking into account the marginalised and vulnerable people during the pandemic.

Watch the full session here: https://youtu.be/94c-SYX18Xg

It has been indicated that some of the initial groups who will be identified for COVID-19 vaccine access are health care professionals, those over 65 years old, and people with comorbidities. These groups represent some of the key groups of people who will be targeted for vaccine introduction in Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Watch the full session here: https://youtu.be/po3RC8z_CzQ

The introduction of a COVID-19 Vaccine in South Africa Slide: View Here

On 22nd February 2020, Africa developed a COVID-19 Joint Continental Strategy that has three pillars: 1) limit transmission, 2) prevent deaths, and 3) limit harm. This strategy is underpinned by the need to coordinate, cooperate, collaborate and communicate. Continental collaboration and coordination will be critical for the development of an effective vaccine against COVID-19. The African Union, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), has taken a bold and aggressive leadership role with regards to the continent’s vaccine agenda. 

As part of implementing Africa’s Joint Continental Strategy to combat COVID-19, the Africa CDC, in partnership with the South African Medical Research Council, hosted a virtual Conference on the 14th and 15th of December. This virtual conference brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, public health experts, policymakers to deliberate on:  

1. Africa’s financing, procurement, and allocation of potential COVID- 19 vaccine  
2. Delivery strategies to AU Member States of potentially effective COVID-19 vaccines.
3. Strategies for community engagement and communications to ensure uptake of any potential effective COVID-19 vaccines.  

14 December 2020 – Watch the full session here:  https://youtu.be/1io6EakSluQ 

15th December 2020 – Founder and Lead of the African Alliance, shared their thoughts and insights around the “Role of Risk Communication in Vaccine Acceptance”. Find out more as they unpack issues relating to understanding collective & individual risk in a pandemic, risk communication of vaccine acceptance, and communicating prioritisation. Tian’s remarks are on Session V and start at 02:28:00and you can watch the whole recording here: https://youtu.be/w3KNclEKdhU 

As there is news emanating from many countries in the world about a vaccine. Some countries like the UK have already started such vaccination programs. The Afrocentric Group hosted a webinar to discuss the issues of progress on the clinical trials for the vaccine, pertinent issues on access, and South Africa’s preparedness in the vaccine agenda. 

The panelists in the dialogue include Dr. Anban Pillay from the National Department of Health; Prof Greg Hussey from the Institute of Molecular Medicine, Dr. Samu Dube from the Afrocentric Group, and Mx Tian Johnson. Watch here: https://youtu.be/lY4ao2NRBs8

various backgrounds, from academics, scientists, policymakers, community activists, NGOs, and researchers.   

The diverse line-up of speakers from different backgrounds included

Prof Salim S. Abdool Karim , Director of CAPRISA and Co-chair, SA Ministerial Advisory Committee. Mr Jens Pedersen, Senior Humanitarian Policy and Diplomatic Advisor, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders. Tian Johnson Founder and Lead of the African Alliance, queer advocate and member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the COVID-19 vaccine (MAC) mandated to develop a COVID-19 vaccine allocation framework for South Africa and Founding Member of the Vaccine Advocacy Resource Group.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/oiF_mQyi1aw

The Solidarity Fund allows South Africans to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with collective donations.

The fund is independently audited and aims to help with supporting measures to flatten the curve and lower infection rates, detect and understand the pandemic care for those in medical need and support those whose lives have been disrupted by the pandemic. https://youtu.be/OEGqWjSLQNc

And of course, the COVID-19 pandemic is the challenge that is facing everyone around the world. The Post COVID Vaccine Development, Distribution and Justice webinar looked at the question of justice as it relates to vaccine development around COVID. Another focus of the webinar was to ignite our imagination and think about a life post COVID.  

The speakers on the webinar included Professor Glenda Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer of the South African Medical Research Council. Prof Allen Buchanan, research Professor of Philosophy, University of Arizona Department of Philosophy and Freedom Centre. Tian Johnson Founder and Lead of the African Alliance, queer advocate and member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the COVID-19 vaccine (MAC) mandated to develop a COVID-19 vaccine allocation framework for South Africa.   

Tian had the opportunity to share their thoughts on a series of questions about access and inequality. How will the effects of structural inequality and poverty that have existed and persisted for decades before this pandemic be addressed when the vaccine becomes available?  Watch here: https://youtu.be/N21BNlrYZwM