Africa neglected

The African continent with a population of 1.2 billion, is one of the largest globally. It has many important countries like Nigeria, an oil producing economy with a population of 206 million and Kenya, an agricultural economy with a population of 54 million. Africa has recorded more than 2.7 million COVID-19 cases, and around 64,000 have been fatal. South Africa has had more than 1.06 million cases and is the worst hit African country. It is yet struggling.

Unfortunately, while the developed countries like the UK, US, Europe have embarked on COVID-19 vaccinations, Africa is very low on the global agenda. World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified a goal of vaccinating three per cent of Africans by March 2021 and 30 per cent by end-2021. Most of the 47 countries on the continent do not have adequate resources to fund the vaccination drives. The Bill Gates Foundation’s COVID-19 response team in Africa is trying to ensure that the vaccines reach some 780 million people on the continent.

The United Nations, WHO and developed countries like the US and Europe should ensure that they make available the funds and the vaccines to complete the vaccinations in Africa by second or third quarter of 2021. According to WHO, Africa needs USD 5.7 billion for vaccinate the priority sectors in Africa, plus 15 per cent for ancillary equipment like syringes, etc.

African governments should collaborate with top distribution companies in their countries like Unilever, Nestle, Coke, Pepsi and Colgate to ensure that the vaccines reach very village.

No nation or country should have to suffer a protracted pandemic just because it does not have the moneys to buy the vaccines. Many nations are poor due to the history of colonisation, weak infrastructure and inadequate educational facilities. Gradually Africa will overcome these hurdles. The world cannot let Africa fail in the battle against COVID-19.

Rajendra Aneja — Mumbai, India