Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sami Zaptia
Published on 2024-02-22 12:34:56
The Libyan Ministry of Health, based in Tripoli, recently presented its vision to enhance Libya’s role in localizing vaccine manufacturing within the International Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative. This initiative aims to provide the necessary tools and funding to build the capacity to produce and manufacture vaccines. The presentation of this vision came during discussions between the Libyan Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Hospital Affairs and the Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).
The discussions took place on the sidelines of a meeting attended by the President of the Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The meeting also included the presence of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohamed Issa, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Hospital Affairs, Saad Al-Din Abdel Wakil. This meeting was organized by the Government of Kenya in cooperation with the IVI and the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Samoi Ruto, on the sidelines of the 37th session of the African Union Council.
The Libyan Ministry of Health’s vaccine vision aligns with the African trend towards localizing the vaccine industry on the continent. It aims to support the action plan of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which seeks to empower the vaccine industry by developing a framework that will enable Africa to manufacture 60% of its vaccine needs locally by the year 2040. This vision is in response to the fact that African countries currently depend almost entirely on imports from abroad, as the continent only produces 1% of its total vaccine needs.
The initiative is seen as a crucial step towards strengthening Africa’s capacity to address health challenges by ensuring access to essential vaccines. By localizing vaccine manufacturing, African nations can become more self-sufficient and resilient in the face of health emergencies. This vision also has the potential to create economic opportunities and jobs within the vaccine manufacturing sector on the continent.
By presenting its vision to enhance local vaccine manufacturing capacity, the Libyan Ministry of Health is actively contributing to the broader goal of increasing Africa’s self-reliance in vaccine production. The discussions and meetings held at the African Union Council highlight the collaborative efforts of African nations and international organizations to work towards this common goal.
In conclusion, the Libyan Ministry of Health’s vision to enhance vaccine manufacturing aligns with the larger goal of localizing vaccine production in Africa. By working towards producing 60% of its vaccine needs locally by 2040, African nations are taking a significant step towards improving public health outcomes and building resilience in the face of health challenges. This vision has the potential to bring about positive economic and health impacts for the continent as a whole.
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