AIDS dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions

This paper argues that enhancing African ownership of the AIDS response will further the health gains made so far and will also further enhance economic growth.

The authors demonstrate that only half of Africans living with HIV who are eligible for treatment are able to access it currently. African governments invest less on AIDS than would be expected, while external assistance dominates HIV investment in most countries in Africa, which destabilises the AIDS response.

Although the document suggests exploring more diversified funding sources for AIDS and asks high-income countries to invest more in the AIDS response, it introduces the following policy implications and conclusions:

• Africa can gain greater autonomy through the pursuit of a more balanced partnership with international partners in the AIDS response
• health insurance provides a mechanism to channel health spending more efficiently and equitably
• there is an urgent need for African countries to adopt measures to ensure drug quality in the response to HIV, and to maintain public confidence in these drugs
• local production of high-quality pharmaceuticals provides an opportunity to ensure sustainability of the AIDS response and put products nearer to those who need them
• north-south and south-south technology transfer will play a fundamental role in establishing centers of excellence for local production of drugs.
  

The paper encourages African governments to set up new industrial policies that can support local pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, it underscores that Africa can bridge the resource gap with strong political leadership, leveraging the strong economic growth, and by adopting innovative funding opportunities.