CoDA, Igbinedion University set up team to manufacture vaccines in Africa

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

The Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA), in partnership with Igbinedion University, Okada, has launched a task team for the manufacture of vaccines in the continent.

Speaking during the launch of the task team in Okada, Edo state, on Monday, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Former President of Nigeria and Chair of the Board of Directors, CoDA, said the initiative has the potential to positively change the vaccine and vaccination landscape across the continent.

Represented by Abdoulaye Bathily, Co-Founder and Board Member of CoDA, said “Africa’s main challenge is not the lack of funds or resources, but inability to harness available resources to provide customized home-grown solutions needed to address the challenges across the continent.”

Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission said “It is essential for the African private sector to be involved in public health research that will help find solutions to the health problems on the continent, particularly the limited access to vaccines and vaccination.

“Strengthening Africa’s health systems requires a convergence of the private sector, policymakers, the community, the civil society, and healthcare practitioners,’’ she said.

Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, called for the strengthening of primary healthcare facilities in the continent , and increased efforts in addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Deputy Chancellor, Igbinedion University, and former Edo state governor, Lucky Igbinedion, said Africa could build on the current progress in vaccine research, development and manufacturing to solve the problems of infectious diseases on the continent.

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on his part said the coming together of African countries to push, as one, for vaccine availability for the entire continent is an excellent approach, which Nigeria subscribes to under the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) and registered to access vaccines for 50% of the population.

According to Daily Trust, CoDA is an independent international initiative of the African Union, African Development Bank (AfDB), African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).