By Adibe Emenyonu
Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CODA) has asked African governments to seek ways of improving their health care systems rather than relying on Europe, America and other continents as witnessed during the period of COVID-19.
CODA’s Executive Secretary, Souad Aden-Osman gave this charge during a news conference she addressed in Benin City, the Edo State capital yesterday
Aden-Osman said an independent task team on the development of vaccines and equitable universal access to vaccines and vaccination in Africa would be unveiled at a workshop slated for the Igbinedion University, Okada tomorrow.
She said the unveiling was to ensure that measures were designed to prepare Africa to face any global health challenge that might break out in the future instead of relying on foreign medical solutions just like it is experiencing in the distribution of vaccines for the COVID-19.
She explained that the development of vaccines and the improvement of the healthcare system would be private sector-driven with the governments in African states coming together to create an enabling environment.
“We must make sure the private sector comes in forcefully. We need to believe in ourselves. The same energy used to chase out colonial masters should be used to battle the pandemic and any future health challenge.
“Technology is now simplified. I am sure Africa has the scientists to drive this course. We will also need to partner with scientists from other parts of the world to record success.
“The environment, lack of electricity and some other problems should not hinder our desire to provide lasting solutions to health problems in Africa,” she explained.
She said Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Senegal had the capacity “to produce vaccines while others are ready to be part of it. The current pandemic should trigger the need to work together.”
Also at the conference, President of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mansur Ahmed said Africa had the capacity to produce what it needs and consume what it produces if the right steps are taken.
He said: “African countries must scale up their capacity to produce so import will be less and trade between the continent and other continents of the world will become equitable.
“Governments all over Africa should work together to grow as COVID-19 has shown or else we will find ourselves in the same situation when we have to wait for medical help if the next health issue arises.
“Nigerians are part of vaccine production all over Europe and the US.
This is the right opportunity to begin to build the right partnerships and environment so that the next big health challenge does not see us waiting on other ‘advanced’ nations for a solution.
“Those in the private sector with the resources should be encouraged to invest to create the solution for the problem of Covid-19 and many others. A financial arrangement will ensure the investors also get return for their investment. We hope this process drives the solution.”
