Nairobi: Kenya is set to become the home of the East Africa Regional Centre of Excellence in Bioequivalence Studies and Pharmaceutical Research (EAC RCOEBPR), marking a significant development in the East African Community (EAC) and COMESA regions. This new center will specialize in the synthesis of pharmaceutical raw materials and bioequivalence testing for generic medicines and will be hosted at the University of Nairobi.According to Nam News Network, the establishment of this center was approved during the 25th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health. Kenya's Public Health Principal Secretary, Mary Muthoni, highlighted that the center aims to address crucial gaps in the pharmaceutical manufacturing value chain while enhancing healthcare delivery across the region. The project is also expected to play a vital role in quickly containing disease outbreaks and reducing the burden of infectious diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential.The EAC Secretariat has been working on t he EAC regional network of reference laboratories for communicable diseases since 2017, aiming to bolster laboratory capacities for the swift detection of disease outbreaks. This project has already contributed to responses to over 53 disease outbreaks, including Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley fever, Dengue, Measles/Rubella, Covid-19, and Enteric Pathogens.Phase I of the project concentrated on enhancing the rapid detection of infectious diseases such as Ebola and Marburg viruses through the establishment of a regional network of nine mobile lab units. Phase II focused on strengthening laboratory surveillance of anti-microbial resistance in the region, with the procurement of an additional six container mobile lab units and 18 sequencing units. Phase III will encompass four components, including the operationalization of an EAC Regional Centre of Excellence for Virology at the Uganda Virus Research Institute.Additionally, the project will work on fostering cooperation between human and animal health sectors , upgrading the existing EAC mobile laboratory network to One Health mobile labs, and facilitating joint conferences between human and animal health laboratories. It also emphasizes strengthening genomic surveillance capacities at both national and regional levels and integrating the Democratic Republic of the Congo into the EAC mobile laboratory network.Beatrice Askul Moe, the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for EAC Affairs, stated that Partner States need to collaborate in preventing and controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases through rapid and accurate laboratory detection of outbreaks under the One Health Approach. Moe acknowledged the substantial progress made in combating disease outbreaks and surveillance, especially through diagnostic services under the mobile laboratories project.EAC Secretary General Veronica Nduva emphasized that the project has significantly enhanced the EAC region's capability to rapidly and accurately identify known and no vel pathogens. This capability is crucial for timely test results that guide physicians in proper patient management and provide accurate data for the surveillance of emerging and re-emerging diseases.Julia Kronberg, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy to the United Republic of Tanzania, affirmed Germany's commitment to supporting the EAC in strengthening regional health security. She highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in advancing public health and noted the milestone achieved with the launch of Phase III of the EAC mobile labs project.The EAC Secretariat plans to expand its support to Partner States by enhancing subnational laboratory capacities and improving regulatory preparedness, backed by ongoing developments in global health, such as the recent consensus on a global Pandemic Agreement.
Menu