RESUMO
Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact, given the rise in the demand for novel therapeutics such as vaccines that can be used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Compared to other regions of the world, gross vaccine inequity exists in Africa due to several factors tied to the acute lack of vaccines in the region. As a result, efforts are currently being made to ramp up the production of COVID-19 vaccines in the region. However, there are concerns that most countries in Africa lack the adequate pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity required to produce COVID-19 vaccines, and Zimbabwe is not an exception. This article, therefore, aims to evaluate the preparedness and readiness efforts of the Zimbabwean pharmaceutical industry in the production of COVID-19 vaccines.
RESUMO
In Sub Saharan Africa, the morbidity and mortality rate from Non-Communicable Diseases is increasing more than in any place in the world. However, Sub-Saharan Africa faces many challenges such as problems with financing, health system issues, contending interests from industry actors as well as low NCD awareness levels, which have impeded all efforts to curb the burden of these diseases. This perspective discussed the causes, effects and the need to the prioritize prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in Africa, together with practical recommendations. Some of the causes include fast urbanization, dietary changes, lack of health insurance and political instability amongst others, these have had huge implications on not only health indices but also socio-economic development in African countries. There is a need for political will and engagement, community engagement, behavioral changes, and interdisciplinary coordination to reduce the prevalence of NCDs in Africa.
