Health
We will never test any COVID-19 vaccine in Africa – WHO Director
Last week Africans were very angry over some comments made by some French scientists over where they intend to test their vaccine.
The Scientists in an interview with a Television station in France said they would test the vaccine in Africa because Africa lacks basic protective equipment in dealing with the novel coronavirus so they are more at risk.
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Some footballers like Drogba and Eto’o led a stiff campaign against it describing it as racist.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief, Tedros Ghebreyesus has dismissed as “racist” a suggestion by some scientists that the coronavirus vaccine be tested in Africa.
Ghebreyesus at a press briefing on Monday said Africa is not a testing ground for any vaccine and described such suggestions as a hangover from the “colonial mentality.”
“On the vaccines issue, there was a comment from some couple of scientists who said the testing ground for the new vaccine should be Africa.
“Africa cannot and will not be a testing ground for any vaccine. We will follow all the rules to test any vaccine or therapeutics all over the world using exactly the same rule, whether it is in Europe, Africa or wherever, we will use the same protocol,”
Watch the video below:
"When we needed solidarity these kind of racist remarks will not help. It goes against the solidarity. Africa will not be a testing ground for any vaccine." – @DrTedros in response to two French doctors suggesting a potential vaccine be trialed in Africa. pic.twitter.com/ECS9F1baPq
— Barry Malone (@malonebarry) April 6, 2020