African heads of State and Government endorsed the establishment of the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF) at the just concluded 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a press release from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Gambia Office revealed.

The endorsement request was tabled before the African leaders by the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh. In his address to the heads of State and Government, President Jammeh reminded the Summit that public health emergencies remain a major concern for Africa, as they continue to shackle the continent’s development. He pointed out that countries do not have the requisite human, financial and material resources to deal effectively and efficiently with public health emergencies.

“It is in this regard that it is strongly justifiable to create a common fund that will considerably enhance preparedness for dealing with emergencies and their attendant unpleasant consequences. The resources of this common fund will aid countries to deal with epidemics and pandemics and thereby save lives and reduce poverty,” the Gambian leader added.

The establishment of the APHEF was proposed by Dr Luis Sambo, WHO regional director for Africa and approved by the 60th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea in 2010.