COVID-19 ECHO Session #30: Funding & Procurement Mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Tests


December 10, 2020

On 27 October 2020, this COVID-19 ECHO session was convened to discuss funding and procurement mechanisms for SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid tests. As countries prepare to roll out SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing, understanding funding and procurement mechanisms will be critical in ensuring countries have access to adequate rapid tests. Several countries are planning to secure antigen tests and different partners have committed resources for the supply of SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests. These, in turn, will be accessed through different procurement mechanisms. To access these SARS-CoV-2 resources, countries will need to know the established procedures for funding and procurements and benefit from this support. The session covers updates on guidance on WHO rollout and use of SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid testing, updates on available funding mechanisms towards SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid diagnostic test kits, and guidance on the procurement processes for SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT that partner countries will need to follow to access the kits. Presentations were made by Chidinma Ifepe, Head of Buyer Management, Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP); Lara Vojnov, Diagnostics Advisor, World Health Organization; Azizkhon Jafarov, Manager, Global Sourcing Health Technologies, The Global Fund; and Lama Suleiman, Contracts Manager, UNICEF Supply Division. Please follow the links posted here to view the recorded video session on ASLM’s YouTube channel, and download the presentation slides from the session.