The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and JIJIA International Medical Technology Company Ltd of China, have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the country’s first cholera vaccine manufacturing plant.
The project which will cost 37 million US Dollars under phase one, is expected to produce 3 million doses of cholera vaccines.
Currently, Zambia relies heavily on imported vaccines, a situation that leads to limited accessibility, dependence on foreign suppliers and a drain on foreign exchange. The initiative aims to close this gap in addressing the pressing challenges in healthcare, public health, safety, and economic development.
Speaking at the event, IDC CEO Mr Cornwell Muleya said the manufacturing plant will initially focus on the cholera vaccine but ultimately aim to produce vaccines targeting a broader range of diseases as well as all vaccines required under the extended immunization program.
Speaking when he witnessed the signing ceremony, President Hakainde Hichilema who is the Global Cholera Champion said cholera was a menace to the world especially developing countries but can be prevented through vaccines. He said through the manufacturing plant, Zambia was taking steps to save thousands of lives and in turn raise productivity in the country and Africa as a whole
The President further challenged the two parties to make the plant commercially viable and ensure Zambia is a centre to manufacture vaccines for other countries.
The vaccine manufacturing plant will be set up in the Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone.
