President Hakainde Hichilema has called on African leaders to be intentional on what the continent needs to achieve in the area of health.
The media reports that President Hichilema has observed that Africa has lagged behind in many areas hence the need to speed up the processes of producing health products.
He was speaking today at the ACHIEVE Africa high-level Breakfast and Leadership Dialogue on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
ACHIEVE Africa is a cornerstone effort aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, outlining the continental ambition to produce 60 percent of Africa’s vaccines locally by 2040.
The President said time has come for Africa to secure its place in vaccine manufacturing, noting that the continent should accept the geopolitics that are happening around the world.
Mr Hichilema stated that Africa needs to innovate and invest in research and science in order to actualise the aspirations of the ACHIEVE Africa initiative and the goals of the African Union Agenda 2063.
“Zambia stands ready to support all institutions to ensure Africa succeeds in its agenda.
He added that Africa is at a defining moment hence the need to strengthen the medicine delivery chain.
President Hichilema added that collaboration is key in tackling health challenges facing the continent in order to respond appropriately.
And President of Ghana, John Mahama, said ACHIEVE Africa is a declaration of purpose by the continent to secure the health of the future generations.
President Mahama, who was represented by Ghana’s Minister of Health, Kwabena Akandoh, said African countries should collaborate more in promoting local manufacturing of medicines.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the International Vaccine Institute, Jerome Kim, outlined the vision of ACHIEVE Africa.
Dr Jerome, explained that ACHIEVE Africa, is a framework upon which many things can be built upon.
Earlier, Director General of the Zambia Public Health Institute, Roma Chilengi, who is also President’s Advisor on Health, said the recent experiences in the African continent should remind African countries of the need to be innovative and invest in science.
At the same Dialogue, President Hichilema officially launched the Africa’s Research and Development Engine for Vaccine and Therapeutic Sovereignty.
