Vital medical supplies and equipment have been provided to the Ministry of Health for distribution to 28 healthcare facilities by Amref Health Africa-Tanzania, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Zanzibar, Absa Bank, and multiple other partners. The noteworthy donation is a component of the “Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging” (Walk-Jog-Run) program, which aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes by supporting Zanzibar’s health facilities with medical supplies and equipment for safe delivery.

Hon. Nassor Ahmed Mazrui, Zanzibar’s Minister of Health, emphasized that 28 healthcare facilities will directly benefit from this program during the hand-over event that took place at the Ministry of Health office in Zanzibar. Encouraging the safe delivery of medical supplies and equipment in Zanzibar is essential and much-needed. He reiterated, “It is the responsibility of our government to guarantee that these supplies and equipment are regularly available and used as intended, since this is the gateway to saving Zanzibaris’ lives, especially those of mothers and babies. He pledged that the administration will make sure the donated equipment got to all of the islands’ designated medical facilities.

Hon. Mazrui further praised Amref and other partners for their creative strategy and exhorted other partners to combine efforts to guarantee the availability of medical supplies and equipment for safe delivery in Zanzibar. “I want to encourage everyone to keep helping save the lives of mothers and children by using the official website, https://wogging.amref.org/, and the payment number, vodacom 5529421, tigo 6633523,” he continued.

“Through the Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging” initiative, in collaboration with various stakeholders and private companies, the contribution of these medical equipment and supplies will enable safe delivery for mothers in Zanzibar,” said Dr. Serafina Mkuwa, Program Manager for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health, speaking on behalf of Amref Health Africa – Tanzania’s Country Director. These supplies will be beneficial to about 28 healthcare facilities in the five regions of Zanzibar that have the highest requirements. The distribution of medical supplies is now in its third phase, and it will continue with the help of dedicated stakeholders.

In support of corporate social responsibility (CSR), Absa Bank’s representative Rabia Aboud, Branch Manager Zanzibar, emphasized the bank’s readiness to work with communities to assist healthcare, especially maternal health, which is a major tenet of the bank’s CSR strategy. Rabia Aboud went on to say that Absa Bank understands the value of assisting partners like Amref in making a positive impact on healthcare and general well-being.

Over the course of three years (2022–2024), the Uzazi ni Maisha Wogging campaign seeks to raise funds for medical supplies and equipment by raising at least one billion Tanzanian shillings in cash and in-kind donations. Until the goal is met, the software will be available for actively engaging different supporters.

At a summit on Thursday, pharmaceutical companies, health organizations, and world leaders committed investment of $1.2 billion to create vaccines in Africa, a continent beset by multiple health problems, including an increasing number of cholera outbreaks.

At the summit’s opening ceremony in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator “will be an essential step towards a genuine African vaccine market.”

Macron told the meeting, which included leaders from Botswana, Rwanda, Senegal, and Ghana in addition to visiting ministries, health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies that three quarters of the cash will come from Europe.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said via video message that Germany will be contributing $318 million to the program.

The United States, Canada, Norway, Japan, and the Gates Foundation are among the other donors. France contributed $100 million and the United Kingdom $60 million.

African Union commission head Moussa Faki Mahamat told the summit that the program “may become a catalyst for promoting the pharmaceutical industry in Africa and fostering collaboration between member states.”

“99 percent of Africa’s vaccines are imported at a hefty cost,” he continued.

The Covid-19 outbreak brought attention to the unequal distribution of vaccinations around the world since wealthier nations with large pharmaceutical companies snatched up the majority of doses, putting Africa far behind.

In order to offer Africa more sovereignty and prevent history from being repeated, the new plan seeks to relocate vaccine production to the continent.

“The pressure to hold on to your own vaccines, for your own people, is always going to be irresistible when the next pandemic hits,” British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said at the meeting, “even if our leaders in the rich Western countries are angels.”

The necessity for more regional vaccine makers has been brought to light by the recent cholera outbreaks in several African countries. The only company in the world producing the affordable and efficient vaccination doses for the fatal illness is EuBiologics, located in South Korea.

Macron declared that outbreaks of cholera were now impacting “half of Africa” and demanded that it be “consigned to the past”.

He revealed that the South African biopharmaceutical company Biovac would start a cholera vaccine production chain in Africa.

“99 percent of Africa’s vaccines are imported at a hefty cost,” he said.

One of the organizers of Thursday’s Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation was the Gavi vaccine alliance, which assists in providing vaccines for over 20 different diseases to underdeveloped nations.

Gavi declared during the summit that it needs to raise $9 billion in order to finance its vaccine initiatives between 2026 and 2030.

First Lady Jill Biden announced via video message that the United States will donate $1.58 billion to the Gavi initiative, and additional pledges are anticipated later on Thursday.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment that one million children have received vaccinations since 2000,” said Jose Manuel Barroso, head of Gavi.

“A child born today has a better chance of celebrating his or her fifth birthday than ever before in history,” he said.

However, millions of kids remain unvaccinated against any disease, and he continued, “hundreds of millions more need to access to more vaccines.”

In Africa, just 2% of the vaccines that are given are produced there. By 2040, the African Union wants to increase this percentage to 60%.

The nation’s largest public hospital will benefit from the newest mammography technology as well as practical training to enhance breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and GE HealthCare recently announced a collaboration to provide mammography technology, training, and educational tools to radiologists at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), which is part of Muhimbili University of Health and Sciences (MUHAS) in Tanzania. The goal of this partnership is to improve access to breast cancer screenings and assist local clinicians in lowering the country’s cancer mortality rates. The largest city in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, lacked a functional mammography machine in its public hospital.

In order to improve radiology teaching and patient care in established radiology departments in low- and middle-income nations, RSNA created the Global Learning Center (GLC) program. Under the program, RSNA members collaborate with an institution for three years to create a personalized curriculum that includes lectures, conferences, online courses, in-person training, and other educational resources. RSNA has locations in South Africa, Tanzania, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Armenia since the program’s launch in 2020.

Umar Mahmood, MD, PhD, head of RSNA’s board of directors, stated in the news release announcing the collaboration, “RSNA’s [GLC] program was designed to expand radiology education across the world and foster international collaborations.” “We are able to collaborate with local stakeholders at [MNH] to build a breast imaging curriculum, give in-person hands-on training in mammography, and offer online courses, technical assistance, and virtual support thanks to our relationship with GE HealthCare. By providing MUHAS with this vital technology and training, we can both save lives and increase access to high-quality patient care throughout the region.”

The National Nuclear Security Administration of the US Department of Energy provides funding for MUHAS, which is a component of the GLC program.

The Pristina Mammography Suite, which consists of 2D and 3D digital breast tomosynthesis, contrast enhanced mammography (CEM), CEM biopsy capabilities, and a Seno Iris workstation, will be installed at MUHAS as part of the new partnership with GE HealthCare. Additionally, GE HealthCare will maintain the system without requiring any modifications from the institution.

A GE HealthCare-issued certification will be awarded to the approximately twenty nurses, radiologists, and technicians who work in the suite after they successfully complete live trainings covering system operation, image interpretation, patient care, video tutorials, case study learning, and physician engagement through a peer learning network.

In addition to offering practical instruction and tools, the partnership will endeavor to educate Tanzanians on the significance of screenings and early detection. Jan Makela, GE HealthCare’s president and CEO of imaging, stated, “GE HealthCare is committed to helping reduce disparities in care and improving access to medical imaging worldwide.” We stay true to our goal by continuously searching for cutting-edge imaging technologies. In order to fulfill our promise, we also collaborate with groups like RSNA to take advantage of our unique skills and involve the international community in assisting in the removal of care-related barriers. Tanzania has some of the highest rates of breast cancer death worldwide, thus our collaboration with RSNA will help MUHAS get much-needed mammography equipment. We think that this combination of technology, training, and educational resources has the potential to assist thousands of women throughout Tanzania as early detection can save lives.”

The 2024 Industry Engagement Forum is scheduled for May 7-9, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria. Its topic is “Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains and Driving Investment through Partnerships: Accelerating Equitable Access to Quality-Assured Sustainable Health Products.” The forum, which aims to accelerate equitable access to critically needed health products through creative partnerships and to encourage investment opportunities as interventions to boost local pharmaceutical manufacture, is expected to draw more than 300 people.

In collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the international health organization Unitaid are co-convening the forum. Through diverse alliances and significant financial commitments, the plan is a calculated decision to unlock billions in new investments and transform the health care landscape in Nigeria and throughout Africa.

Adopting a strategic strategy to bringing diagnostics, therapies, and medical equipment to Africa through bolstering domestic production will improve health security, expand long-term access to reasonably priced healthcare, and offer customized solutions for local requirements. This will also help meet climate targets by lowering transportation costs and carbon emissions, as well as the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Industrializing the health care industry is no longer an option. Future stability and growth depend on it, as stated by PVAC National Coordinator Dr. Abdu Mukhtar.

Participants in the forum will include representatives from the international and African healthcare sectors, as well as government agencies, research centers, regulatory bodies, industry associations, development partners, development finance institutions, donor organizations, and foundations that support access to medications and diagnostics. conversations on developing long-term regional value chains for health products will take place over the course of three days. These conversations are essential to attaining UHC and improving health security throughout the continent.

In order to demonstrate our dedication to bolstering regional manufacturing value chains and building robust health ecosystems, IFC is co-hosting this event in Africa. Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Regional Director for Central Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, stated that Nigeria was an important choice for this event due to its robust pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and legislative improvements for universal health care.

Solomon Quaynor, Vice President for the Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialization at AfDB, stated, “The African Development Bank is implementing a groundbreaking Pharmaceutical Action Plan with investment of $100 million annually to bolster Africa’s pharmaceutical ecosystem through strategic private and public sector interventions and partnerships.” “We will present our innovative Pharmaceutical Action Plan 2021–2030 and a range of financial and non-financial tools intended to empower the pharmaceutical private sector at the crucial Health Care Industry Engagement Forum.”

“Investing in the regional production of cost-effective, high-quality health products in Africa is a great idea right now. Robert Matiru, Director of Programs at Unitaid, stated that “the current state of global health, along with Africa’s expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, offers a unique chance to achieve more robust and self-sufficient health care systems across the continent.” “Localizing production strengthens local economies, lessens reliance on foreign supply chains, and increases access to essential health products.” For health care to be robust and sustainable, regional manufacturing must be strengthened. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential to realizing this objective.”

The 2024 Industry Engagement Forum (IEF) is a component of a global stakeholder engagement series aimed at advancing equitable access to health care solutions, advancing health innovation accessibility, and strengthening low- and middle-income nations’ ability to effectively prepare for and respond to health emergencies.

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.

“The 24th MEDEXPO KENYA 2024” will be in Nairobi this month from the 17 – 19 April 2024 at the Sarit Expo Center in Nairobi. The premier trade exhibition will be inaugurated by Hon. Juma Mukhwana, the Principal Secretary, for the State Department of Industry, Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry at 11 AM East Africa Time. The opening ceremony will be attended by Ambassadors and High Commissioners from various countries along with decision makers and trade representatives from not just Kenya and the East African Region but the entire African continent.

150+ exhibitors from various countries located in Middle East, South Asia and Europe are some of the leading investors and partners in the healthcare and medical sector in Kenya showcasing the widest range of products and equipment for the medical, pharmaceutical and healthcare sector. This year there is a major push from Russia – City of St. Petersburg and Iran (IHIT) to attract investment into the Kenyan market.
The exhibition is supported by Kenya Medical Association (KMA), Ministry Of Economy and Industry, Nairobi City County – Office of The Governor, Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF), Kenya Medical Women’s Association (KMWA), Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya , Association of Medical Engineering of Kenya (AMEK), Association of Private Hospitals (APH), XRP Healthcare, M.P. Shah Hospital , St. John Ambulance of Kenya and The Pharmacists and Dentists Union as well as the representative and leaders from the medical and healthcare fraternity.

The event calls upon leading importers and distributers of medical and healthcare equipment to visit and source equipment and products. The exhibition is expected to showcase Pharmaceutical Products, Medical and Dental Devices, Healthcare Services, Surgical Devices and Equipment, Herbal Veterinary Medicines, Diagnostics Products, Baby Care, Vaccine Refrigeration, Pharmaceutical APIs & FDFs, Autoclaves, Biomaterials, Implants, Orthopaedics, Prosthesis, Surgical Tables, Surgical Lights and more from suppliers and manufacturers based in countries like TURKIYE, PAKISTAN, INDIA, RUSSIA, SWITZERLAND, SWEDEN, CHINA, MALAYSIA, SYRIA, KENYA, IRAN, GERMANY, NETHERLANDS, SAUDI ARABIA, ROMANIA, SOMALIA, SWITZERLAND, PORTUGAL, EGYPT, UNITED STATES, JORDAN, as well as the UAE.
The Medical and Healthcare sector in Kenya has recently seen an increasing demand for medical services, especially in the areas of diagnostics, testing, and screening, due to the growing population and rising urbanization, and the expanding health insurance coverage.
Healthcare is a vital and dynamic industry that plays a key role in the human development index and the economy of the country. The sector has several positive aspects that make it attractive and promising for both local and foreign investors.

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.