The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and mobile industry association the GSMA have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), that, the partners say, is intended to bring the transformational power of mobile connectivity to support Africa’s most significant healthcare challenges.
The MoU is intended to provide a framework for partnership between the two organizations on a range of priorities spanning from digital strategy, policy, and governance frameworks across the continent to drive adoption of mobile technologies with potential to strengthen Africa’s health security and outcomes for millions.
The GSMA will work closely with Africa CDC on HealthConnekt Africa, a new initiative to connect all health facilities and workforce in Africa to the internet by 2030. The initiative will start with a small group of pioneer African Union member states and communities, which will see their health facilities connected to the internet and health workers equipped with smart devices, allowing them to improve the quality of care provided to their clients through access to vital online resources.
The partners will also work together on promoting homegrown healthtech innovations and organizing convenings that bring together the public health and tech communities in to chart ways of accelerating the digital transformation of the health sector in Africa.
In the MOU, both parties have agreed to collaborate in the design, development and promotion of technology policies, initiatives and investments that will strengthen health systems and, ultimately, improve the lives and livelihoods of African citizens. The aim is to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies in support of the public health objectives of the African Union member states, including the enablement of continuity of care across borders.
