Dr Githinji appointed to African Covid-19 response commission

Dr Githinji Gitahi Global CEO Amref Health Africa when he highlighted the effects of Covid-19 among youth's in Kenya. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard}

Kenya is among the countries represented in the African Covid-19 Response Commission following the appointment of Amref-Africa CEO, Dr Githinji Gitahi, as one of the 17 members from the continent.

Gitahi, also a member of the Private Sector Advisory Board of Africa CDC and a vocal advocate of Universal Health Coverage, said the appointment is a "reaffirmation that Africa believes in its experts.”

The appointment of Gitahi, who is also a Board Member at the Standard Group, follows the appointment of South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, as the African Union (AU) champion on Covid-19 during the 34th Ordinary session of the AU.

During the inaugural meeting held Tuesday, President Ramaphosa noted: “Despite the development of a vaccine, we are still a long way from permanently containing the pandemic.”

The commission’s mandate is to identify gaps in the continental Covid-19 response strategy and propose evidence-based interventions.

Further, the commissioners will also support the work of the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team to access safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines for the continent and manufacturing security-related commodities.

The 17 commissioners will also table recommendations for managing the "twin pandemics" of gender-based violence and Covid-19 in Africa besides identifying funding for the commission's work.