The West African College of Physicians (WACP) has urged Nigeria and other countries within the region to strengthen their health systems for vaccine production in Africa.
The outgoing president of the college, Dr Rose Macauley, made the call while briefing newsmen ahead of the college’s 48th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) in Abuja.
She said vaccine production in the region may not be attained without strengthening the health system.
She highlighted that the production of vaccines requires resources, and technology, adding that researchers in the region were working hard but need a resilient health system.
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Macauley said the region had continued to face considerable challenges, including emerging infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases.
The president said the 48th AGSM will identify some innovative solutions and collaborations that would drive transformative change across West Africa.
Meanwhile, the college has also advised its inductees to stay back in the country to contribute their quota.
Speaking yesterday during the opening ceremony of the 48th Annual General and Scientific Meeting (AGSM) in Abuja, Dr Rose Macauley, said “We in the college encourage ourselves to give back to our society, and not to go away.”
She, however, called on the government to create an enabling environment for doctors, particularly the young ones, saying that was the only way to keep them in the country and discourage the ‘japa’ syndrome.
Dr Mamadou Mourtalla, the President-Elect (Senegal), said the brain drain of doctors from the African region was a major problem that every government needs to address.
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