AHF Zimbabwe Country Program Manager, Dr Enerst Chikwati (centre) flanked by Clever Taderera (left) and Dr Sandra Bote
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
There are intensified calls for a fairer global pandemic response, as negotiations around the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) system approach a decisive moment.
The PABS, which is an annex to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, is meant to ensure that countries sharing disease data also benefit from the vaccines, treatments and technologies developed from it.
Speaking at a recent engagement, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Zimbabwe, National Medical Director, Dr Sandra Bote revealed that PABS is meant to correct the imbalances which were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said while countries quickly shared data during COVID-19, the benefits that followed were not equally distributed.
“So PABS is there to now say, let’s share the risks, but let’s also share the benefits,” said Dr Bote.
The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted in May 2025 and the PABS Annex’s final round of negotiations are set for the end of this month (March 2026).
an illustration of a fair pandemic response
Dr Bote further revealed that what will be decided now will shape whether the next global health emergency is handled more fairly than Covid-19.
Turning to the issue of equity, Dr Bote said it should be ensured that “all countries, regardless of economic strength, should have fair access to life-saving tools during pandemics.”
She reiterated that equity ensures that each country gets the support they need to benefit equally.
“In health we are different, we may not enjoy the same resources the same way as developed countries. We need more support,” she said.
Dr Bote also revealed that it was unfortunate that while developing countries are pushing for binding equity rules, developed countries like many in the European Union are resisting.
She added that PABS aims to address four key principles, timely sharing of pathogen data, equitable benefit sharing, transparency and global solidarity.
“PABS is trying to correct global inequality in pandemic response, making sure that countries like Zimbabwe are partners, not just suppliers of data and samples,” added Dr Bote.
Country Program Manager at AHF Zimbabwe, Dr Enerst Chikwati echoed similar sentiments, saying the current global system continues to disadvantage developing countries.
“What is happening currently is data is going out, but the benefits are not coming back.”
Dr Chikwati pointed at Zimbabwe’s position on data sharing, saying the government has already taken a strong stance on the matter.
He added that African countries are pushing for more than just participation, as they want meaningful returns from the data they provide.
“Africa is saying if we give you the data, the samples, share with us so that we can also benefit from what comes out of it,” said Dr Chikwati.
video of AHF Zimbabwe National Medical Director Dr Sandra Bote giving the AHF Key Messages
Dr Bote added that lessons had to be learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic, where by the end of 2021, developed countries had achieved widespread vaccine coverage, while developing nations lagged far behind.
And for Zimbabwe and other countries in the global south, a strong PABS system could mean early access to vaccines, financial and technical support and stronger health systems.
Asked what implications are there if the European Union countries and others don’t allow for the PABS Annex, Dr Chikwati said, “unfortunately we will end up with the an agreement, it will be ratified but it will be weakened.
“It will still be signed but weakened, yes we have got an agreement, but without strong PABS, we still have a long way to go.
“So we wanted it (Pandemic Agreement) stronger.”
