As preparations for the inaugural International Community of Ankole (ICOA) Convention on Trade and Investment due in Boston in October gears up, serial female entrepreneur Ms Anjela Bubu has shared her views on Africa producing its own medicine.
This is in line with ICOA’s mission of promoting socio-economic development and leadership excellence.
She says about 70% of the vaccines in African counties are imported while 30% is locally manufactured.
According to Amnesty International, 8% of Africans are fully vaccinated due to supply deficiencies.
Why the need for local vaccine manufacturing?
It improves a country’s reliance to meet her own needs especially in response to healthy emergencies e.g pandemic outbreaks.
It boosts the local economy through earnings and savings as well as creating job opportunities.
Develop & produce product profile optimised to meet African context.
Anjela Bubu ignited the debate
How to meet the need
Substantial investment is required that is financing healthy institutions.
Strategize plans to strengthen the value chain.
Skill & market development as well as Technology transfer.
Working towards (goal) improving the demand certainty.
In his reaction, Julius Murinzi President of ICOA said there is a need to build a local vaccine manufacturing ecosystem (and for other medical products as well) in a holistic manner by fostering partnerships between governments, private sectors, and international organizations.
Already, countries like Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa are making great strides in this direction. For instance, Rwanda is setting up a manufacturing plant together with the German company BioNTech, which will focus on the production of mRNA vaccines and other medical products.
There is need to do everything in Africa (end-to-end) i.e. R and D, manufacture of drug substances fill/finish of final products. This is indeed a game changer for Africa because the current operations are focused on fill/finish of imported drug substances. We are fortunate to have a big decision maker like Dr. Nyerida, a fine gentleman in that field.
Another speaker said Africa is lacking one basic understanding eg, collaboration.
Scientists have believed in western medicine compared to traditional medicine!
“If we put all heads to collaborate and blend the 2! Africa will be the best manufacturers of best medicines!
Take a look at Ayurvedic medicine , Chinese medicines!
Otherwise, without that, I don’t see Africa free but rather slaves to opinions”.
COLLABORATION is Key!
Another speaker said it’s our great African scientists like Dr. T Nyirenda & Dr. Simon Agwale who are pushing for more collaborations and local manufacturing of medications and active pharmaceutical ingredients that could strengthen health systems throughout Africa.
Why Local Manufacturing Matters
Lack of access to medicines each year contributes to millions of deaths in Africa, and “The burden falls mainly on the poor, women, and especially children
Our Very Own Dr. Thomas Nyirenda has been quite busy disseminating a business plan to boost local pharmaceutical production and improve public health outcomes
That progress, along with Africa’s growing population and the necessity of specialized treatments for diseases that are highly concentrated in Africa, such as waterborne diseases, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and AIDS, “make strong arguments in favor of local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
INTERGRATIVE MEDICINE IN UGANDA
Another submission:
David: Last month I was addressing all chairmen of Senior Citizens, our Members of Parliament & Ministers in Annual General meeting in Kampala over plant medicine.
We are now under re-birth of knowledge (renaissance),before the coming of colonialist,Africa had her advanced and accurate plant medicine and technology which was preached against and Africans adopted western medicine which has proved more harmful to African lives in our observation and findings.
With confirmed evidence of Herbal medicine currently used to treat all diseases with local manufacturers, Older persons agreed to promote, do more search, document and pass on this knowledge to present and future generation.
Every plant in Africa is God given medicine,providing local solution to local Health challenges!
Old age is not sickness but a power bank of knowledge and experience.
Our focus is to Age gracefully
Who is Anjela Bubu
She is a dynamic leader whose expertise spans multiple sectors. As the Operations Manager at NHR Drilling Uganda Limited and CEO of Dream Travelers, Anjela has significantly impacted the drilling and travel industries.
Originally from Tanzania and now residing in Uganda, she brings a unique perspective that bridges cultures and enhances cross-border collaboration.
NHR Drilling Uganda Limited is at the forefront of providing high-quality drilling and mineral exploration services.
Anjela’s leadership aligns with ICOA’s mission of promoting socio-economic development and leadership excellence.
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