A new partnership will secure vital COVID-19 medical products, including diagnostic tests and clinical management supplies, for low- and middle-income countries.
The agreement has been made between MedAccess – established by CDC to increase patient access to life-changing medical supplies in Africa and South Asia – and UNICEF.
As the pandemic continues to take hold in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, experts predict the regions will see more than 220 million COVID-19 infections. Healthcare workers in both regions are facing acute shortages of medical supplies to treat patients as the pandemic continues to spread.
Countries whose health systems were already weaker before COVID-19 are bearing the brunt of supply shortages, making it more difficult for health workers to protect citizens.
MedAccess will provide a guarantee of up to $50 million, enabling UNICEF to secure essential products from suppliers in the fight against the virus. This will support UNICEF’s high-volume purchasing orders with manufacturers to respond to country demand for medical supplies and diagnostic tests at affordable prices.
Formed in 2017, MedAccess has extended financial guarantees to improve access to health products including access to HIV viral load testing and next generation anti-malaria bed nets in sub-Saharan Africa.
(CDC)
