Addis Ababa, December 26, 2024 (FMC) – The Ministry of Health signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian biotech consulting company, Techinvention Lifecare Pvt. Ltd., to conduct a feasibility study to embark on manufacturing of vaccines in Ethiopia.
The MoU was signed by Ethiopia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Mekdes Daba, and Director & CEO of TechInvention Lifecare, Syed S Ahmed, at the Minister’s office in Addis Ababa, social media post from the Ministry shows.
On the occasion, Dr. Mekdes stated that the signing of the MoU is a major step towards Ethiopia’s domestic vaccine manufacturing. She reminded that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is a huge pushing factor for African countries to embark on manufacturing of vaccines in their own capacity.
Domestic vaccine production is a key priority for ensuring public health and pandemic preparedness in Ethiopia, the minister noted, emphasizing that her country is capable of providing vaccine products to Africa and other countries around the world, in addition to domestic consumption, by meeting internationally set vaccine quality standards.
Dr. Mekdes said that preparations have been made to set up plants and commence production of vaccines in the coming months, and affirmed her ministry’s support and cooperation to the Indian company, which was selected to conduct the feasibility study.
Syed S. Ahmed, on his part, expressed his confidence that Ethiopia will become a vaccine producing country in the coming months and TechInvention Lifecare will complete and submit the study in a short time.
The Ministry of Health’s technical team will closely monitor and support the team conducting the feasibility study, it was stated at the signing ceremony.