Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 9:17
Addis Ababa – The African Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC-Africa), through its Diagnostics Advisory Committee (DAC), has recommended the first real-time PCR test for Mpox manufactured locally in Morocco.
The approval by CDC-Africa underlines the reliability and effectiveness of this test, potentially strengthening Morocco’s role in global health initiatives, said a press release from the Center, based in Addis Ababa.
“This major milestone is in line with the African Union’s continental effort to strengthen the self-sufficiency of African public health systems to improve the continent’s effectiveness in preparing for and responding to disease threats,” adds the same source.
Africa CDC supported Member States through this continental plan by procuring and delivering PCR and genomic sequencing test kits, as well as GeneXpert cartridges, the press release recalled, noting that it also trained Member States on sample collection and transport, biosafety and biosecurity, and molecular testing for Mpox.
The Africa CDC DAC offered critical advice to Member States, recommending specific RT-PCR tests for purchase and use – advisory support that has proven valuable for national testing strategies, according to the same source .
Africa CDC and AUDA-NEPAD jointly established the DAC as a quality mechanism to guide the selection, evaluation, validation, verification and adoption of laboratory diagnostic technologies, while also facilitating the data sharing.
During this Mpox emergency, Africa CDC worked through the DAC to publish two editions of a recommended list of RT-PCR tests for Mpox, the statement said, explaining that the tests on this list followed a process rigorous and systematic, involving an independent review of available evidence.
Tests must meet key criteria set by the DAC, based on the WHO target product profile for Mpox diagnostics, Africa CDC added, noting that the third edition of the recommended list was released on 12 November 2024. This edition includes a locally manufactured PCR detection kit (UM6P-MAScIR MPOX qPCR 1.0), manufactured by Moldiag, Morocco.
The DAC reviewed the evidence regarding this test based on established criteria, including independent evaluation data from the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and concluded that it meets to all major criteria, underlines the press release, noting that this is a major achievement in the response to Mpox.
Moldiag Managing Director Nawal Chraibi said Moldiag is committed to supporting health resilience in Africa through the development of locally manufactured diagnostic tools.
Quoted by the press release, Ms. Chraïbi affirmed that Moldiag believes that strengthening local production is essential to strengthen preparation and response to epidemics on the continent, which makes it possible to respond quickly and effectively to public health challenges.
“We are proud to align ourselves with CDC-Africa’s vision of an autonomous and secure Africa in terms of health,” she rejoiced.
The local manufacturing of diagnostics constitutes one of the five strategic pillars of the action framework “A New Public Health Order for Africa”, launched by the African Union through CDC-Africa.
The Director General of CDC-Africa Jean Kaseya, for his part, stressed that the PCR test kit for Mpox, manufactured locally in Morocco, which passed rigorous criteria, recommended by the DAC to appear in the list, testifies that quality medical countermeasures, including diagnostics, can be made available locally during outbreaks.
He congratulated Morocco on this exceptional achievement, encouraging African Union Member States to consider the use of this testing solution as they continue to respond to the Mpox outbreak.
This crucial step will inspire local manufacturers of diagnostics and other outbreak-related products, the statement said, noting that Africa CDC is committed to working with these manufacturers and key stakeholders to ensure that necessary medical products are available for the health security of the continent.
Remember, the Mpox epidemic was declared a Continental Security Public Health Emergency by Africa CDC and a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
