Covid-19 manufacturing roundup: New production site opens in Africa; Senator calls for test prices to be slashed
It looks like domestic manufacturing of Covid-19 vaccines is a step closer to reality for Africans after a ribbon cutting ceremony at the NantSA manufacturing facility in Cape Town.
Patrick Soon-Shiong, a US billionaire who was born in South Africa, and President Cyril Ramaphosa cut the ribbon yesterday at a plant largely funded by Soon-Shiong.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the extent of Africa’s health challenges. The pandemic has revealed the huge disparities that exist within and between countries in access to quality healthcare, medicines, diagnostics and vaccines,” Ramaphosa said in a speech. “At the same time, the pandemic has revealed the depth of scientific knowledge, expertise and capacity on our continent. It has shown what we are capable of when we work together to mobilize all our resources to confront a common challenge.”
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