By Wakhungu Andanje
The African Union Development Agency (AUDA)-NEPAD has allocated USD 100 million to enhance Senegal’s healthcare systems. This funding will focus on improving sexual and reproductive health, combating gender-based violence, and addressing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through the African Demographic Dividend and Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme (A2DSRH).
In addition to this, AUDA-NEPAD recently provided USD 300,000 to support Senegal’s National Regulatory Authority (ARP). This investment will be channelled through the African Union Smart Surveillance (AU-3S) Programme, aimed at strengthening medical product safety and surveillance. These efforts are expected to boost Senegal’s healthcare system, benefiting all its citizens.
Senegal’s health and skills sectors are set for a significant transformation following a partnership between AUDA-NEPAD and the government of Senegal. This collaboration is in line with Senegal’s vision for sustainable development and regional leadership in health matters, as stated by the country’s Minister of Health and Social Action, Dr. Ibrahima Sy.
A Comprehensive Approach to Healthcare
The partnership between AUDA-NEPAD and Senegal is part of a broader effort to tackle Africa’s systemic health challenges and foster socio-economic transformation across the continent. As part of this, a comprehensive healthcare support package has been created for Senegal. This package aims to understand the country’s healthcare ecosystems, identify innovative solutions, and align them with the nation’s priorities.
Through this collaboration, Senegal has positioned itself as a leader in delivering essential healthcare services. The country has customized AUDA-NEPAD’s flagship health initiatives to address its specific health needs, showcasing a tailored approach that reflects Senegal’s commitment to improving healthcare.
In 2023, Senegal co-developed a set of health priorities for 2025 that includes clear, actionable deliverables. These priorities underline Senegal’s essential role in advancing health, social development, and skills across Africa, reinforcing its long-standing partnership with AUDA-NEPAD.
Senegal’s Leadership Role in Health Transformation
Senegal’s partnership with AUDA-NEPAD has been praised by the Minister in the Presidency and Special Representative of the President to the AUDA-NEPAD Steering Committee, Amadou Tidiane Wone. He hailed the merger as a clear signal of the country’s dedication to advancing health and socio-economic progress across the region.
“Senegal’s role as a key player and cornerstone of Agenda 2063 is a testament to our unwavering loyalty to Africa’s transformation,” Wone stated.
The Senegal Ministry of Health and Social Action’s comprehensive plan includes initiatives to address key health challenges on the continent. One such initiative is the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa, which aims to tackle pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities. Another is the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) Programme, which focuses on strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and accessible medicines throughout Africa. Additionally, the Integrated Vector Management (IVM) Programme targets malaria control through advanced vector technologies.
The plan also incorporates the Programme for Investment and Financing in Africa’s Health Sector (PIFAH) and the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA), which are designed to foster skills development and job creation, particularly for young people.
A Strong Healthcare System for a Resilient Africa
Symerre Grey-Johnson, Director of Social Development, Human Capital, and Institutional Development at AUDA-NEPAD, praised Senegal for establishing itself as a key player in AUDA-NEPAD’s strategies. Under the leadership of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Senegal has demonstrated exemplary leadership that inspires other nations.
“Being a founding member of AUDA-NEPAD, Senegal continues to demonstrate strategic leadership in implementing catalytic initiatives in sectors such as health, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology. Its recent achievement of WHO ML3 status by the Agence Sénégalaise de Réglementation Pharmaceutique (ARP) is a testament to its leadership in driving Africa’s health transformation,” Grey-Johnson concluded.
As Senegal continues to lead the way in healthcare and socio-economic development, its partnership with AUDA-NEPAD remains a cornerstone in advancing the continent’s long-term vision for sustainable health systems and resilient communities.
