The World Health Organization (WHO), in association with the African Center for Disease Control (Africa CDC), made the selection, which, according to the director of Universal Health Coverage of the WHO, Adelheid Onyango, will improve the regulatory capacities of the region through the African Medicines Agency established last year.
The acting director of Africa CDC, Ahmed Ogwell, declared in turn, that building the plants will prepare the continent to meet future pandemics, as quoted by Amref Health Africa,
He specified that the center draws the attention of countries interested in manufacturing these drugs but who do not have as yet the facilities. He also announced plans to establish diagnostic laboratories and therapeutic services.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said countries should renew investment in health, adding that it is a key determinant of the continent’s socio-economic development.
“The critical lessons learned from the pandemic are that health is a determinant of security, economy and education. Therefore, it is important to invest in health because it can block the development of any country”, Moeti stated.
Data from the Africa CDC and Amref Health Africa, revealed that a total of 973 million doses were administered in the region, while only 50 percent of the population was fully vaccinated, against the 70 percent targeted by the WHO.
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