Tweet
Nigeria: No Swine Flu Vaccines in Developing Countries Yet
Ruby Rabiu in Rwanda
3 September 2009
As the swine flu pandemic sweeps across 23 African countries, recording 27 deaths and 5035 confirmed cases, the World Health Organization said no vaccine is available in developing countries to reduce the effects of the flu.
WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan made this known during a special session at the 59th WHO regional committee for Africa in Rwanda. She said though the vaccine is presently undergoing clinical trials and being administered in some developed countries, it is yet to reach the African shores.
It would be recalled that some African countries recently raised concerns over the demand by the Saudi Arabian authorities that all pilgrims must be immunized against the swine flu before being allowed to perform the Hajj.
Lamenting over the inability of the organization to source for funds that will be channeled to the fight against swine flu, the DG said a fund must be put aside to deal with epidemics as they occur, as it was difficult to acquire funds when it is needed.
Dr Chan, who broke down in tears as he spoke, said it is unfortunate that most countries are undergoing yet another pandemic in the face of so many health issues and economic meltdown. She called for a collective pool of support and funds to assist affected countries.
"No developing country should be allowed to face this pandemic alone, we must as a continent support each other to fight this," she said.
She pointed out that the vaccines which are still undergoing clinical trials will be ready for use in another 6 weeks and advised that countries must be on alert to treat immediately it is diagnosed because it is a tricky situation.
Health Minister Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, who spoke during this session, said this recent development is a great concern as the vaccines being requested for are not readily available in the region, saying it is a challenge which the countries cannot handle.
Osotimehin stressed that WHO must ensure that when the vaccines are made available, Africa be given first priority because of the peculiar circumstances that surrounds the system.
Ruby Rabiu in Rwanda
3 September 2009
As the swine flu pandemic sweeps across 23 African countries, recording 27 deaths and 5035 confirmed cases, the World Health Organization said no vaccine is available in developing countries to reduce the effects of the flu.
WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan made this known during a special session at the 59th WHO regional committee for Africa in Rwanda. She said though the vaccine is presently undergoing clinical trials and being administered in some developed countries, it is yet to reach the African shores.
It would be recalled that some African countries recently raised concerns over the demand by the Saudi Arabian authorities that all pilgrims must be immunized against the swine flu before being allowed to perform the Hajj.
Lamenting over the inability of the organization to source for funds that will be channeled to the fight against swine flu, the DG said a fund must be put aside to deal with epidemics as they occur, as it was difficult to acquire funds when it is needed.
Dr Chan, who broke down in tears as he spoke, said it is unfortunate that most countries are undergoing yet another pandemic in the face of so many health issues and economic meltdown. She called for a collective pool of support and funds to assist affected countries.
"No developing country should be allowed to face this pandemic alone, we must as a continent support each other to fight this," she said.
She pointed out that the vaccines which are still undergoing clinical trials will be ready for use in another 6 weeks and advised that countries must be on alert to treat immediately it is diagnosed because it is a tricky situation.
Health Minister Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, who spoke during this session, said this recent development is a great concern as the vaccines being requested for are not readily available in the region, saying it is a challenge which the countries cannot handle.
Osotimehin stressed that WHO must ensure that when the vaccines are made available, Africa be given first priority because of the peculiar circumstances that surrounds the system.
Comment