Uganda to benefit from AU medical supplies partnership

Uganda is among the 55 African Union member states that will benefit from a partnership by the Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) and bioMérieux to facilitate supply of high-quality COVID-19 diagnostics on the continent.

AMSP announced the new partnership to facilitate the supply of high-quality diagnostic solutions from the bioMérieux Pandemic Response Portfolio to African Union Member States.

The AMSP portal is an online marketplace that enables the supply of COVID-19-related critical diagnostics and medical equipment and consumables in Africa and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

It was developed under the leadership of the African Union Special Envoy, Strive Masiyiwa and powered by Janngo, on behalf of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The platform was developed in partnership with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

This partnership with bioMérieux aims to respond to supply shortages experienced by African Union Member States by guaranteeing efficient, uninterrupted and rapid access to bioMérieux high-quality diagnostic solutions dedicated to the COVID-19 pandemic, a joint statement from AMSP and bioMérieux said.

Serving over 160 countries globally, bioMérieux is a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, which has for over 55 years provided diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software and services) that determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety.

Under the partnership, a portfolio of high-quality diagnostic solutions (molecular testing and serology testing) for COVID-19 from bioMérieux will be available at very competitive prices to each of the 55 African Union Member States.

"To effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa needs continuous and predictable supply of diagnostics and medical consumables, and the AMSP was created to close the supply gap.

Through AMSP we are building partnerships and exploring all markets, and we are delighted to have bioMérieux join this very important partnership," said Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC.

Sindé Chekete, the Vice-President of bioMérieux Africa said; "We are very proud of this collaboration with AMSP, as it is part of our public health efforts which consist of allowing low and middle-income countries to have access to bioMérieux solutions in an ethical and equitable manner and to contribute to improve the health of patients and communities in these countries."

The African Union Special Envoy, Strive Masiyiwa, said; "With the AMSP, Africa is leading the way to ensure all of our governments get access to test kits and other urgent medical supplies they need, at fair prices. We have been working relentlessly to expand choice & quality of supplies and that is why this partnership with bioMérieux is very important to us."

"As a global leader pioneering diagnostics, bioMérieux's commitment to fight infectious diseases for almost 60 years is highly commendable and we are very proud to partner with them through the AMSP. They are joining world class healthcare manufacturers in our fight against the pandemic in Africa," concluded Fatoumata Bâ, the Founder and Executive Chairperson of Janngo.

Janngo builds, grows and invests in pan-African digital champions with proven business models and inclusive social impact.