United Kingdom’s Wellcome and the Department for International Development have awarded a grant of €2.26m to Africa for the fight against the coronavirus disease.
Wellcome is a politically and financially independent foundation that supports researchers, advocacy and development of vaccine, among others.
The grant made to the Africa Centres for Disease and Control and Prevention is to support the COVID-19 response by African Union member states.
AU stated that the grant was awarded as part of the DFID/Wellcome Epidemic Preparedness for coronavirus grant and to support implementation of the Africa joint Continental Strategy for COVID-19 outbreak.
Speaking on the donation, Epidemic Lead at Wellcome, Dr. Josie Golding, said, “Having research at the centre of the COVID-19 response is critical if we must end the pandemic. COVID-19 has reached every corner of the world and is overwhelming even the most advanced health systems.
“Through our partnership with the DFID, Wellcome is supporting the important work of Africa CDC and countries across Africa to deal with the rapid spread of COVID-19.
“This fund will enhance the efforts of Africa CDC in strengthening the institutional capacity across Africa to respond effectively to COVID-19 and other disease threats.”
The fund will be managed by the Institute Pasteur Dakar, Senegal, on behalf of Africa CDC, which currently co-leads the laboratory and subtyping working group of the Africa task force for Novel Coronavirus.
Since the continent’s first COVID-19 case on February 14, the leaders have met and developed a comprehensive response strategy as a continent.
Commenting on the grant, director of the institute, Dr. Amadou Sall, said, “As the co-chair of the laboratory technical working group, I can say that the Wellcome and DFID funding is not only timely but is instrumental in winning the battle against COVID-19.”
