WHO Director-General Calls for Urgent Action to Address Mpox in Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged pharmaceutical companies and wealthy nations to collaborate with Africa to improve access to mpox vaccines. The disease, which began in the Democratic Republic of Congo and later spread to neighboring countries, has infected thousands of people and killed hundreds across the continent. The affected countries have struggled to contain the outbreak, largely because they can’t access vaccines, which are expensive and in limited supply. To improve access to vaccines for African countries, the WHO chief advocated for a multi-pronged approach, including strong collaboration with vaccine manufacturing countries, reduced cost, and in-country preparation. Ghebreyesus also called for donor nations to release stockpiled vaccines and support vulnerable countries, ahead of a planned international health equity agreement.

SOURCE: SEMAFOR