The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has issued a call to action for global efforts to address the persistent Mpox outbreak, urging the international community to put Public Health before financial profits. This request comes as Africa struggles to secure serum, reflecting the inequalities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation, a strong advocate of health equity, emphasises the critical need to enhance the availability of Mpox immunisation throughout the continent, warning that the existing strategy threatens global health security. Dr. Echey Ijezie, who directs the Nigeria Programme for AHF, has raised the alarm regarding the current African crisis.
He emphasises that the Mpox outbreak represents a significant health threat that demands urgent action. He noted that the unequal distribution of Vaccines is a critical challenge, hindering the region’s capacity to tackle the outbreak effectively. To him and many others in the foundation, this disparity extends beyond the region; it highlights a universal problem impacting the world. As certain areas struggle to obtain vaccines, the global reaction remains insufficient and weak. The appeal for intervention reaches beyond the continent, focusing on pharmaceutical companies, government bodies, and global organisations.
Stakeholders were urged to focus on cooperation to tackle the Mpox crisis.
Furthermore, AHF asserts that these groups must acknowledge the moral obligation of placing public health above profit-driven motives. This initiative aims to transform the global approach, urging prominent stakeholders to emphasise cooperation instead of rivalry, especially regarding essential immunisation that can save lives. The organisation is convinced that the international health sector must learn from the errors of the COVID-19 crisis, where the accumulation of vaccines and uneven access led to persistent inequalities. In particular, AHF has urged Western countries and Japan to expedite the provision of vaccines to Africa.
Also, the delay in securing these vaccines has prevented many nations on the continent from protecting their citizens, increasing the risk of further spread. The foundation also appeals to the World Health Organization (WHO) to accelerate the authorisation of more vaccines to alleviate this urgent deficiency. By increasing the accessibility of vaccines, AHF aims to reduce the escalating risk of Mpox to countries in the continent and other regions. A crucial aspect of their advocacy efforts involves promoting Technology transfer and implementing patent waivers, enabling African countries to manufacture vaccines domestically.
Mpox has affected 13 African countries, with over 22,800 confirmed cases.
Disseminating vaccine production technologies in Africa is vital for establishing sustainable solutions. Without local Manufacturing capabilities, African nations rely on Western producers, putting them at risk of interruptions and supply shortages. The foundation contends that the patent concessions extend beyond Mpox, highlighting a more general necessity for autonomy in vaccine manufacturing, particularly in nations with lower and middle incomes. The disease has impacted 13 nations across Africa, registering over 22,800 confirmed infections and upwards of 620 deaths this year.
Nigeria has reported a notable case count, with the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) confirming 48 cases among 868 suspected cases by August. Such figures are alarming and underscore AHF’s pressing plea for immediate intervention. If prompt action is not taken, the situation may escalate, resulting in additional deaths and putting even more pressure on health systems that are already overburdened. The situation is a reminder of the broader challenges African nations face regarding health security. AHF’s advocacy shows the importance of addressing inequities not only as a moral issue but also as a matter of global health stability.
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Moreover, the foundation’s efforts aim to ensure that the continent and the world are better prepared to respond to future outbreaks. By putting public health above financial profits, the global community can create a fairer, stronger, and safer health system worldwide. This situation allows governments, drug manufacturers, and global organisations to advocate health equity. By collaborating, they can guarantee that every area possesses the resources to address the disease outbreak, thereby effectively protecting public health worldwide.