By Roselyn Ganyaglo
A new anti-malaria vaccine, R21 is currently under development to help in the fight against malaria.
This, therefore, calls for research collaborations in the fight against malaria and other infectious diseases in Africa.
The Chief, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology and Senior Investigator, Dr. Patrick Duffy revealed this at the opening of the maiden West African Network of Infectious Diseases ACE’s conference in Accra.
He said malaria remains a major health problem, hence the need to develop a more effective vaccine like the R21, which is an upgrade of the RTSs vaccine which is in use to address other malaria-related issues in pregnant women.
Dr. Duffy indicated that measures will be put in place to ensure that the vaccine is accessible to all when it is ready.
The 3 day conference under the auspices of the West Africa Network of Infectious Diseases,WANIDA and African Center of Excellence, ACE seeks to build sustainable research capacities in Africa to address health challenges on the continent.
With focus on “Infectious Diseases in an Era of Global Change: Innovative Multidisciplinary Pan-African Efforts Towards Building Capacity in Africa”, the conference is discussing Surveillance and preparedness for new pandemics, Innovative disease prevention strategies and vaccinology, Strategies for malarial control and elimination among others.
The Senior Investigator, Dr. Patrick Duffy said malaria causes maternal, foetal and newborn mortalities, saying there are still some 50 thousand maternal deaths in Africa due to malaria.
He commended Ghana for the lead role in vaccine development on the continent.
The Secretary General, Association of Africa Universities, Professor Olusola Oyewole said it is crucial for Africans to build capacity to address Infectious diseases in the region. He believes partnership will present the platform for sponsorship.
A Research Director at the French National Institute for Sustainable Development, IRD, Professor Nicaise Ndam said it is time to implement research and innovation on vaccine development in Africa, indicating that politicians must have the political will to implement research.
The conference which is being attended by by Researchers drawn from Africa, will strengthen pan-African networks of scientific excellence.