President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday launched a manufacturing facility aimed at building Africa’s capacity to develop COVID-19 and other vaccines as well as strengthen the continent’s overall pharmaceutical footprint in a sector dominated by players from developed countries.
Ramaphosa described the launch of the facility – to be known as NantSA – as “a milestone in Africa’s onward march towards health, progress and prosperity.”
“It is within the walls of this facility, through the networks that are being built, through the advanced skills that are being developed, and through the other initiatives across our continent, that our vision for vaccine, diagnostics and drug manufacturing in Africa will steadily take form,” Ramaphosa said.
The vaccine manufacturing facility is located at Brackengate in Cape Town and was jointly launched by Ramaphosa and world-renowned technology healthcare scientist, Patrick Soon-Shiong and his company NantWorks LLC.
The launch would ensure that Africa no longer relies on other regions and organisations to supply its people with vaccines and other much needed medication, Ramaphosa said.
“Africa should no longer be the last in line to access vaccines against pandemics. Africa should no longer go cap in hand to the Western world begging for vaccines. We will stand on our own. This we are determined to do and this facility is proof of that,” he said.
The event coincided with a ceremony to officially launch the Coalition to Accelerate Africa’s Access to Advanced Healthcare (AAAH Coalition) which aims to accelerate local production of pharmaceuticals, biologics and vaccines for Africa
Ramaphosa said the establishment of the AAAH Coalition was a bold step to unite biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, non-profit organisations and academia.
“The Coalition gives effect to our firm belief that Africa needs to harness its skills and resources and identify opportunities for collaboration across several countries. The Coalition recognises that Africa has both a great need and vast capabilities,” he said.
JN/APA