Korede Abdullah in Lagos
A Moroccan company, Moldiag, has begun producing mpox tests, a first for Africa, as the continent struggles to contain the outbreak.
The move comes after African countries faced challenges in accessing testing kits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 59,000 mpox cases and 1,164 deaths have been reported in 20 countries this year.
The World Health Organization has announced plans to provide mpox tests, vaccines, and treatments to vulnerable populations in the poorest countries.
In some areas, tests must be sent to distant labs for processing, while others lack testing facilities altogether.
“This is a major problem,” said Musole Robert, medical director of the Kavumu Referral Hospital in eastern Congo. “The main issue remains the laboratory, which is not adequately equipped”.
Moldiag’s tests, priced at $5 each, can help address shortages affordably. The company has begun accepting orders from several African countries, including Burundi, Uganda, and Congo.
“It’s rather easy to send tests from an African nation to another one rather than waiting for tests to come in from China or Europe,” said Abdeladim Moumen, Moldiag’s founder and chief scientific officer.
Moldiag’s tests have received approval from the Africa CDC, but the company has not yet submitted paperwork for expedited approval from the WHO.
The WHO has approved three mpox tests and is considering five others, all manufactured in North America, Europe, or Asia.
The development of Moldiag’s tests aligns with the African Union’s goal of reducing dependence on imported medical supplies.
“They want African tests for Africa,” Moumen said. As the outbreak continues, Moldiag’s tests offer a crucial step towards improving access to diagnostics and combating the spread of mpox in Africa.
Morocco Produces Africa’s First Mpox Tests to Fight against Outbreak
