The best way to pandemic-proof the world is through ‘last-mile innovation’ based on strong regional and subregional research and development (R&D) hubs that can tackle disease outbreaks before they become pandemics. These hubs should be led by local scientists and have the capacity to adapt established technologies without intellectual property restrictions to produce vaccines, treatments […] Continue reading ->
After a two-week hiatus in negotiations, United Nations (UN) member states this week received a third draft of the Political Declaration being developed for the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response on 20 September. The declaration was supposed to have been finalised by early August and put under silence procedure but member states […] Continue reading ->
Botswana’s approach to health is an example to the African continent, with strong leadership, investment in research and development and universal health services available for a nominal charge, said Dr Jean Kaseya, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). Kaseya was speaking on Monday at the opening of the World […] Continue reading ->
The South African High Court has ordered the country’s health department to hand copies of all its COVID-19 vaccine procurement contracts, negotiations and agreements to a non-governmental organisation, Health Justice Initiative (HJI). The Pretoria High Court ruling on Thursday comes in response to a court application by HJI for access to the contracts, arguing that […] Continue reading ->