The second day of the 2nd Vaccine and Other Health Products Manufacturing Forum for African Union (AU) Member States shifted its focus towards enhancing Africa’s capacity to locally produce a wider range of health products, beyond just vaccines. The event, organized by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Gavi, and the Regional Vaccine Manufacturing Consortium (RVMC), brought together health leaders from across the continent to discuss the future of healthcare manufacturing in Africa.
Key discussions centered on expanding the production of therapeutics, diagnostics, and other essential medical supplies to bolster health security across the continent. The goal is to ensure that Africa is less reliant on external suppliers and can produce the necessary products to meet its health needs, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other health threats.
Kenya BioVax Institute Limited (KBI) played an instrumental role in the discussions surrounding the African Pooled Procurement Mechanism (APPM), a crucial initiative aimed at simplifying procurement processes and establishing a consistent demand for health products produced within Africa. The APPM is designed to improve access to high-quality, locally made vaccines, medicines, and medical supplies by streamlining purchasing processes across African countries.
Presentations from industry leaders such as Africa CDC and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) underscored the importance of regional cooperation in developing Africa’s manufacturing capabilities. Experts stressed that building strong manufacturing infrastructure and systems is key to ensuring that essential health products are available and accessible across the continent.
A significant side meeting took place where Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Harry Kimtai, alongside the KBI delegation led by Chairman Hon. Dr. Swarup Mishra and acting CEO Dr. Cecilia Wanjala, engaged with representatives from the Egyptian government. The meeting focused on exploring potential collaborations aimed at enhancing the delivery of Taifa Care, Kenya’s flagship health initiative. Both parties discussed ways to strengthen health service delivery and production capacity to improve health outcomes for their respective populations.
The forum highlighted the growing momentum within Africa to take control of its health product manufacturing, with a unified approach to building infrastructure, scaling production, and ensuring that high-quality health products are made accessible to all African nations.
As the event continues, participants remain committed to fostering a more resilient and self-sufficient healthcare system for Africa, ensuring that the continent is better prepared to respond to both current and future health challenges.
