The Executive Director of the Global Fund, Mr. Peter Sands, has met with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House-Entebbe, and they have discussed.

Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a global organization that aims to quickly raise and distribute funds for initiatives that lessen the effects of malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis in low- and middle-income nations.

In order to strengthen the nation’s knowledge economy, President Museveni urged the organization to think about acquiring medications, immunizations, and other necessary medical supplies from regional producers.

Additionally, he emphasized how crucial it is for a nation like Uganda to engage in the knowledge sector, namely in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and scientific advancements.

In addition to the President’s response, the Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, listed the four main areas that could be procured: medical gloves, long-lasting insecticidal nets, fast diagnostic tests for HIV and malaria, and antiretroviral drugs for HIV therapy.

Additionally, President Museveni reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to the Global Fund’s fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria, emphasizing the necessity of prevention in addition to treatment initiatives.

However, President Museveni described Uganda’s economic development in stages, emphasizing the country’s shift toward economic diversification and the growth of its money economy.

“When we came in, we aimed at a number of phases. Phase one was what we called minimum recovery to bring back the small island of the money economy surrounded by those who work only for the stomach. This you can see with tourism, which has come back, along with maintained coffee production, a slight increase in cotton production, and the resurgence of tea,” he said.

In response to the commitment assurance, Mr. Sands stated that the Global Fund is prepared to work with regional markets to guarantee the availability of necessary medical supplies while taking cost-cutting, competitiveness in the market, and tendering problems into account.

President Museveni promised in his response to intensify future interactions with regional medication producers in order to work out advantageous arrangements for their medicines to be supplied to the Global Fund.

Mr. Sands added that the Global Fund will continue to assist national efforts to stop the spread of AIDS, TB, and malaria, and that the relationship between the Fund and Uganda’s Health Ministry intends to expedite the end of these epidemics.

He told the President, “The Fund focuses on combating prevalent diseases and addressing unique challenges like mosquito resistance and HIV/AIDS prevention. With a cumulative investment of $2.9 billion and a forthcoming $700 million investment over the next three years,”

The National Drug Authority (NDA) Chairman, Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, and Hon. Matia Kasaija, Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, were present at the meeting.
Local medication producers were also present, including Mr. Emmanuel Katongole, Chairman and Co-Founder of Quality Chemicals Limited.

At Tatu City, a 5000-acre mixed-use Special Economic Zone in Kiambu County, a new medical garment production facility has been established.

Global medical garment manufacturer FullCare Medical has opened for business in Kenya, providing employment to 1,800 people so far, with hopes to hire 7,000 more in the near future.

Speaking during the event, Mr. Lu Jianguo, the founder of FullCare Medical, disclosed the company’s intentions to use technology to boost production efficiency and meet consumer demands.
Our $30 million investment in the FullCare Medical facility is proof of our dedication to working with Kenya and Tatu City SEZ to promote positive change via cooperation. The factory intends to export $60 million worth of medical products annually, satisfying demand in the local market while employing solar technology for ecologically responsible production.

“The facility is a leading example of foreign direct investment in Kenya, showcasing the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Chinese companies in Africa,” said Mr Jianguo.

On his part, Stephen Jennings, CEO and developer of Tatu City, highlighted that more Kenyans would have access to employment possibilities as a result of the investment. Tatu City, the first mixed-use Special Economic Zone in Kenya, has received USD 2.5 billion in investment from more than 78 companies, including major participants in the software development, food and beverage production, healthcare and contact centers industries.

Full Care Medical received USD 100 million in funding from the World Bank’s investment arm, the International Finance Corporation, to expand into the African market.

Last but not least, Zhang Yijun, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, and representatives of the Kenyan government attended the opening ceremony. Mr. Zhang described Full Care Medical as a representation of the close ties that exist between China and Kenya as they collaborate to advance both countries’ economies.

Hewatele, a Kenyan medical oxygen producer, has received a $20 million (approximately Sh2.9 billion) funding package from a number of organisations, including the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Finnfund, the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF), the UBS Optimus Foundation and Grand Challenge Canada.

This money will be used to build a modern cryogenic medical liquid oxygen air separation unit plant at Tatu Industrial Park, the first of its kind in East Africa in over 60 years.The facility is expected to open in late Q1 2025 and will meet the growing demand for medical-grade liquid oxygen in healthcare facilities throughout Kenya, Uganda and Northern Tanzania.

David Karimi, Deputy Country Head for Kenya at Rendeavour, the owner and developer of Tatu City, stated that the investment will transform healthcare in Kenya and East Africa.“Hewatele’s investment, backed by the world’s preeminent development finance institutions and foundations, represents a transformation of healthcare in Kenya and across East Africa,” he stated.

The investments show significant potential to enhance access to medicinal oxygen, particularly for maternal and child healthcare. stated Bernard Olayo, founder of Hewatele

“The increased production capacity here at Tatu City will improve oxygen affordability, particularly for maternal and child healthcare and enhance primary healthcare support,” he continued.

According to Kenya’s Ministry of Health, demand for medical oxygen has risen significantly since the COVID pandemic, from 410 to 880 tonnes per month.Because of high production costs and fragmented delivery and storage options, medicinal oxygen is typically eight to ten times more expensive in Sub-Saharan Africa than in Europe and North America.

Hewatele’s facility aims to produce at least 20 tonnes of medical oxygen per day, lowering costs for rural and urban healthcare customers by up to 30%.When administered to pregnant women, oxygen can reduce child mortality from pneumonia by 35%, alleviate foetal distress and save lives.

Johanna Raehalme, Finnfund’s Head of Origination in Africa, said that the rise of the COVID pandemic made everyone around the world aware of the importance of oxygen supply.

“We are happy to add yet another important investment in our healthcare portfolio and see that the increased awareness of oxygen will ensure market demand for Hewatele going forward,” he said.

Georgia Levenson Keohane, CEO of SEDF, emphasised the importance of investing in Hewatele as a way to strengthen Africa’s healthcare system. SEDF sees this investment as critical to generating direct impacts and fostering long-term systemic change.

Maya Ziswiler, CEO of the Optimus Foundation, emphasised the foundation’s early support for Hewatele, citing its clear impact and innovative business model.

Zulfiqar Wali, CEO of Hewatele, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to expand to Tatu City, which will generate jobs and boost the local economy in Kiambu County.

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has emphasised the urgent need to invest in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on raw materials and ingredients that are in short supply.

This comes as representatives from various African countries gather in Nairobi to strategize about strengthening vaccine manufacturing supply chains across the continent.

The Africa Vaccine Supply Manufacturing Forum aims to strengthen vaccine manufacturing supply chains in Africa, which is critical for future outbreaks and equitable vaccine access.

Speaking at the three-day forum’s official opening, Nakhumicha acknowledged that Africa as a continent has faced a number of outbreaks, including Ebola, as well as regular threats from other Africa-specific diseases such as Lassa fever and Rift Valley fever.

She also stated that the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the risk to the African continent, emphasising the importance of investing in local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Nakhumicha stated that, despite progress in Kenya’s pharmaceuticals industry, such as increased local access to certain products and lower prices for locally produced medical products, there are still challenges that must be addressed.

“These include complexity in the transparency of trade regulations linked to the import and trade of input materials and finished products,” Nakhumicha stated.

Other challenges she identified include a skills gap in the workforce, a lack of technology transfer from international manufacturers and a lack of expertise and know-how required for product market authorization, quality control and site inspection to meet international standards.

“Raw materials and equipment are not locally manufactured and readily available. High cost of capital and lack of capital investment in support of pharmaceutical manufacturing also need to be addressed,” she exclaimed.

In April 2021, the African Union (AU) member states launched the Partnerships for African Vaccine Manufacturing (PAVM) in collaboration with the Africa CDC.

The goal is to support the continent’s vaccine manufacturing efforts.

The goal is to develop, produce and deliver more than 60% of the vaccine doses required across the continent by 2040, up from less than 1% at the time.

Since then, the Africa CDC has pursued this agenda in close collaboration with ecosystem stakeholders.

Kenya’s growing pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is regarded as a critical component in the development of a progressive and sustainable healthcare system capable of meeting both routine and emergency needs.

The CS has now stated that in order for AU member states to meet the ambitious goal of manufacturing 60% of continental vaccine demand by 2040, they must reduce their current reliance on imported Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.

She has stated that they should reduce dependence to 50% and increase local capacity to produce such input materials.

“Instead of only focusing on producing the final medical products, we need to begin investing into securing the required input materials, localizing production where feasible and possible,” Nakhumicha noted.

They should also increase the proportion of pharmaceutical manufacturers that adhere to national good manufacturing practice standards from 65 percent to 100 percent.

She also stated that supporting local manufacturers who fully comply with global standards for good manufacturing practices is critical for the continent.

The County Government of Nyeri intends to invest at least Sh1.6 billion in various development projects spread across the county’s eight sub-counties.

The funds expected to be spent over the remainder of the fiscal year 2023/2024 will be used to improve key infrastructure projects such as markets and basic social utility facilities such as hospital completion.

Governor Mutahi Kahiga said in his New Year’s address to Nyeri residents that his administration will spend a significant amount of money renovating milk processing plants and upgrading rural roads to improve agricultural product transit from farms to markets.

“From our county-specific projects, we will spend Sh1.6B in development. These range from the county industrial park, the completion of Karatina Level Hospital emergency block, various renovation works in all our hospitals and equipping sanitation, among many other projects,” said his statement.

“We have operationalized the Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima Bus Park, which should be fully occupied by the end of January. The Narumoru hospital has taken off albeit with staffing challenges. We will recruit 125 medical personnel to further boost the staffing. This will allow all disputes to be resolved,” he stated.

According to figures from the Office of the Chief Officer, Economic Planning and Budgeting, the county spent a total of Sh89,248,853 during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2023/2024 to fund various development projects in the county.

Kahiga stated that a total of Sh735 million had been set up to fund various development projects across the 300 wards to demonstrate the cordial working relationship between the executive and members of the County Assembly.

“Our County Assembly was rated the best in Kenya, thanks to the honourable members. This year, the Honourable Ward Representatives have lined up 300 ward projects to cost Sh735,000,000. These projects cover all departments and range from roads, streetlights, hospitals, dispensaries, bridges and agricultural programmes,” stated Mutahi Kahiga.

The Governor also stated that the county had cleared all pending bills owed to suppliers, praising his administration’s fiscal discipline.

Evolve plans to set on a ground-breaking project to improve the quality of healthcare for thousands of Africans. The State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) selected it as a preferred partner.

The State of the African Diaspora has signed a memorandum of understanding with Malta’s most trusted science company, based in Luqa. The agreement arrived at a series of meetings held by Maltese Ambassador Anthony Coleiro and SOAD Malta Diplomatic Mission Attaché Martin Mercieca.

I would like to thank our Ambassador Anthony Coleiro and Attaché Martin Mercieca for this most formidable and timely introduction to Evolve, said SOAD’s First Vice Prime Minister, Keturah Amoako.

‘SOAD’s medical city and telehealth projects have received financing approvals, and this collaboration with Evolve, with their expertise in ‘Design; Equip; Train; and Maintain’ medical solutions, means that SOAD has a perfect “one-stop shop” partner for the realisation of its medical city and telehealth projects.

With the addition of Evolve’s flagship Ophthalmic Centres of Excellence, our collaboration in delivering leading-edge state-of-the-art healthcare will propel Africa as a leading destination for the provision of innovative and cutting-edge health services,’ says the firm.

The construction of a Pan-African ophthalmology centre responds to urgent needs in the fight against and prevention of blindness,’ said Angelina Tezanou, SOAD Minister of Health and Disabilities. It is a groundbreaking flagship project that will promote the diaspora’s international reputation with a focal point for all major vision specialists.

Managing Director of Evolve, Christopher Busuttil Delbridge, said, ‘At Evolve, we are always grateful to be part of projects that strive to deliver state-of-the-art care and scientific services that enable a positive impact on communities worldwide.’

Antoine Camilleri, Evolve’s International Business Development Manager, added, “This is in line with our core philosophy and values at Evolve.” We are delighted to have signed an Agreement of Knowing and we thank the African Diaspora State for entrusting them with a part of this Noble African journey to offer excellent health care and scientific services, that will boost Africa’s quality of life.’

Egypt’s largest pharmaceutical distributor, Ibn Sina Pharma, has announced plans to invest EGP 200 million in 2024.The company plans to expand its branch network, which currently number 71, as well as boost its technological infrastructure. These investments have the goal to increase the company’s market share and profitability in the coming years.

According to Mohamed Shawky, the company’s Investor Relations Sector Director, Ibn Sina Pharma holds about 24 percent of the Egyptian market and has a business volume of EGP 24 bn. He told DNE that the company’s new investments will be paid by strengthening its cash receipts cycle.

Shawky even stated that the company’s net profit before interest grew by 101% in September 2023, reaching EGP 996.7m to EGP 495m in the same period that year. However, he said the increase in financing costs had an adverse effect on the net profit margin.

Earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation (EBITDA) got by 101% in the first nine months of 2023, reaching EGP 23.8 billion, compared to EGP 15.8 bn in the same period in 2022.

Afreximbank supplies early-stage money to de-risk project in preparation efforts and expedite project bankability and financial ending, stated to an updates release.

The project, based in South Africa’s Coega Special Economic Zone, entails the research, development, and manufacturing of high-demand routine veterinary vaccines including Bluetongue Virus, Brucellosis, Rift Valley Fever, Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Peste des Petits Ruminants, African Horse Sickness, and African Swine Fever using Dyadic International’s proprietary technology. Animal diseases pose direct threats to public health and food sovereignty in the Southern African Development Community region, reveals the investigation.

The project is expected to produce up to 27 million doses per year at peak capacity and will transform access to normal vaccines by improving current supply deficits by up to 16 percent, said to the release, and it also said that it will create over 9,000 a job during construction and operation.

Dr. Julian Naidoo, Chief Executive Officer of Rubic One Health, and Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra African Trade Bank, Afreximbank, signed the agreement.

Africa’s sub-Saharan area is host to more than 1.5 billion individuals. The fastest population growth occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa, and millions of residents are living in poverty. For many governments, investing in modern healthcare facilities is of highest priority. There are active new hospitals worth $11 billion. Currently, $6.4 billion has already been built, while $4.8 billion is being designed.

With 20%, or $2.3 billion, of Sub-Saharan Africa’s ongoing hospital projects, Kenya is in position to lead. The second spot goes to Nigeria with 19% ($2.1 billion). With 15% of the activity, Ghana is in third place with a $1.7 billion worth.

The Saudi Fund for Development, which has more than a dozen ongoing hospital projects with an entire displayed cost of $770 million, is the largest investor in the Sub-Saharan African healthcare industry. The fund’s funding of the construction of six new hospitals in the Ivory Coast, at an estimated cost of $383 million, is the largest investment. The fund also has holdings in Zambia, Kenya, Mauritius, Uganda, and Eswatini.

In Hawassa, Ethiopia, a private limited business called Shalom Health Care just started work on a $250 million medical equipment manufacturing facility. The facility, which would generate 5,000 a job if completed in two years, will lessen the nation’s reliance on foreign medical supplies.

The company will produce a variety of medical supplies, including syringes, needles, IV bags, masks and gloves, according to the company’s CEO Dr. Winta Mehari. Shalom intends to export its goods to East Africa and other world markets.

Desta Ledamo, the president of Sidama Regional State, thinks that the building will have a major impact on Ethiopia’s economy. He said that it would improve the nation’s healthcare system, provide foreign currency, and create jobs.