Libya formally joins an African health procurement mechanism
LIBYA – Libya has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to formally join the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM), joining Egypt, Ghana, Botswana, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tunisia.
Stronger bargaining power in buying medicines
The mechanism, according to the Health Ministry’s media office, aims to strengthen African countries’ collective bargaining power in the purchase of essential medicines and medical supplies, support local manufacturing, and improve the availability of health products and access to them at reasonable prices.
Backing the security of health supplies
The ministry said the mechanism also seeks to strengthen the security of health supplies on the continent by coordinating procurement and supply operations.
Support for localising medical industries and supplies
It said Libya’s accession to the mechanism is a step in support of the state’s move to localise medical industries and medical supplies and to make health supplies more sustainable.
Wider scope in the African health market
It added that joining opens wider scope for cooperation and for tapping into the African health market, and gives Libya greater opportunities to take part in procurement, manufacturing and supply systems at the continental level.
Libya to chair North Africa’s technical committee
In a related development, the ministry said Libya is strengthening its presence within the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention through its election as chair of the Regional Technical Advisory Committee for North Africa (ReTAC).
A role in setting regional health priorities
It said the chairmanship gives Libya a wider role in helping set regional health priorities and to coordinating cooperation among North African countries.
A presence in procurement, manufacturing and health coordination
According to the ministry, Libya’s presence in the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism and its assumption of the chair of the Regional Technical Advisory Committee for North Africa combine participation in building a more integrated African health market with a leading role in regional health coordination, reinforcing Libya’s position as a partner in the continent’s efforts to achieve health security and to rely on African capacities and resources.
