Museveni Reveals Ugandan Scientists Are Developing All Kinds Of Vaccines For Humans

President Museveni has revealed that scientists in Uganda are on the verge of developing all the types of vaccines needed for the humans and for the livestock.

He made the revelation while addressing  the forum on Sustainable Health Cooperation and Health Security at the ongoing US-Africa Summit.

The President stated that Uganda has a two-strategy approach for health care which includes preventive measures and curative interventions.

He explained that Uganda and Africa are better placed to produce majority of the pharmaceuticals because of access to tropical plants posses necessary ingredients in manufacture of medicine.
He also said making vaccines and other pharmaceuticals in Africa will enable the population get cheaper and affordable medicines.
“It is not correct to continue with the present arrangement where, in the global share of pharmaceutical production of US$1.42 trillion, Africa’s share is only US$16 billion. Uganda and Africa are better placed to produce many of the pharmaceuticals on account of the plants that we have in our area. Chincona which helped humanity with Malaria from the year 1630, was a tropical plant.” he said

The President called on the US government officials to partner with Uganda and other African states to fund and grow commitment towards vaccine production on the bloc.

“We invite friends and brothers (Africans) to cooperate with us in the production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals for the improvement of global health. Collaboration between the USA and Africa will enable the World to get cheaper medicines and vaccines.In our research for vaccine development, we found that we need 17 input chemicals and reagents,including the one known as Beta-propio-lactone.” He said further

 

The President noted that during the Covid -19 pandemic, Ugandan Professors, including  Professor Patrick Ogwang, cross-matched an ancient anti-viral plant product,that has been used since time immemorial against measles, caused by the virus rubeola, with the treatment for Covid-19 and it saved so many lives.

“Uganda, with a population of over 43million, had 170,694 cases of Corona-19 and we lost 3,632 people. You very well know what happened in other parts of the World. We are also working on developing all the types of vaccines needed for the humans and for the livestock. ” he stated

Museveni noted that Uganda being one of the biggest producers of bananas in the world, since ancient times, it was easy to enhance the production of sanitizers from the alcohol base and from bananas used during the covid 19 pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the first speaker from Africa in the Partnering for Sustainable Health Cooperation and Health Security Forum at the ongoing US Africa Leaders Summit in Washington DC, Mr Museveni opted that the U.S channels funds into Africa because it would yield cheaper medicines.

“We invite friends and brothers to cooperate with us in the production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals for the improvement of global health,” Mr Museveni told attendees who included top US top brass and other partners biased to health matters.

Mr Museveni who was accompanied by Uganda’s health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng also reasoned that this would also strengthen Africa’s footing on the health front.

“Uganda and Africa are better placed to produce many of the pharmaceuticals on account of the plants that we have in our area. We are also working on developing all types of vaccines needed for humans and livestock. Our scientists have for instance discovered an anti-tick vaccine,” Mr Museveni said.

He decried the strains Uganda weathered through in the pursuit for vaccines to insulate Ugandans from the Covid-19 when the pandemic struck in 2019.

His call was supported by Botswana leader Mokgweetsi Masisi, who observed that Africa boosts of a young and talented workforce eager to support the continent’s efforts to insulate populations from deadlier effects of pandemics and or other health threats.

“We as a region have the requisite human capital and research institutions which could be scaled up with the support and collaboration of our development partners. It is the reason why we are here. We seek your partnerships at the governmental level,” Mr Masisi remarked.

$215million for Covid fight in Africa

In the lead up to the clarion call by President Museveni, the Secretary, US Department of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra announced that Washington was offering up to $215million to address Covid-19 in Africa.

According to Becerra, the funds will among other things, be used to “accelerate wide spread and equitable access to and delivery of safe and effective Covid-19 vaccinations, reducing mobility and mortality from Coronavirus.”

 

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