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COVID-19

WHO Director-General Praises Mozambique's Commitment to Healthcare and Local Production

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Mozambique has prioritized healthcare and invested in its national regulatory system, earning praise from the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Speaking at a virtual meeting with Mozambique's President and Minister of Health, Dr. Tedros highlighted the country's efforts to produce drugs that meet WHO standards for quality, safety, and efficacy. He also congratulated Mozambique on reaching maturity level 2 in its national regulatory system and aiming for maturity level 3.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WHO Pandemic Agreement aims to address weaknesses exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the concentration of manufacturing in a few countries, leading to inequities in access to vaccines and health products.
  • The Pandemic Agreement includes articles on sustainable and geographically diversified local production, and transfer of technology and know-how for pandemic-related health products.
  • Mozambique has made significant progress in strengthening its national regulatory system, reaching maturity level 2 and aiming for maturity level 3, with WHO's support.
  • The country has also established the National Pharmaceutical Factory (FNM) to produce drugs that meet WHO standards for quality, safety, and efficacy.
  • Low and middle-income countries still face significant barriers in access and supply due to low-quality, untimely data, affordable financing, and limited R&D capacity.
  • WHO has launched several initiatives to support local production, including the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, the WHO Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative, and the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator.

Statistics:

  • Africa imports over 90% of its medicines and 99% of its vaccines, compromising the stability of supply chains and progress toward universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • The WHO has trained over 7000 participants globally through the Biomanufacturing Workforce Training Initiative in 2023.
  • The African Union aims to produce 60% of the continent's vaccines by 2040, with WHO's support.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO) Press Release, July 30
  • World Health Organization (WHO) Press Release, May (no specific date mentioned)

Note: The original press release is from July 30, and the World Health Assembly occurred in May, but the exact date is not specified in the original text.

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