Catalyzing COVID-19 Action Project

Overview

The Catalyzing COVID-19 Action (CCA) Project is a Unitaid- and FIND-Funded initiative, responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Critical gaps along the COVID-19 cascade concerning access and utilization of screening, testing, and effective therapeutics in management of the disease remain, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Key barriers preventing enhanced access and uptake include:

• a dearth in evidence around the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of existing and upcoming diagnostic tools and treatments across LMICs; 
• limited implementation of integrated COVID-19 delivery models in health services; 
• limited capacity of health systems and platforms; 
• weak procurement systems; and 
• a lack of accelerated regulatory pathways for COVID-19 commodities to reach LMICs. 

CCA GOAL: Accelerate end-to-end access to novel solutions in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic through testing, isolation, care, and treatment approaches adapted to meet the needs of Kenya, Cameroon, and Zimbabwe. 

Unitaid is a global health agency engaged in finding innovative solutions to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases more quickly, cheaply and effectively, in low- and middle-income countries. Our work includes funding initiatives to address major diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as HIV co-infections and co-morbidities such as cervical cancer and hepatitis C, and cross-cutting areas, such as fever management.

Unitaid is now applying its expertise to address challenges in advancing new therapies and diagnostics for the COVID-19 pandemic, serving as a key member of the Access to COVID Tools Accelerator. Unitaid is hosted by the World Health Organization.