Kigali, Nov 26 (NationPress) Rwanda and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) have formalized an agreement on Monday to set up the institute's African Regional Office in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
The agreement was signed by Rwanda's Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana and IVI's Director General Jerome Kim, marking a pivotal step toward establishing a regional headquarters that will serve as a center for global health research, innovation, and collaboration, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health.
Nsanzimana emphasized, "The establishment of the International Vaccine Institute in Rwanda signifies a major advancement in healthcare research and the equitable distribution of vaccines across Africa and beyond." He added that Rwanda is dedicated to tackling vaccine inequities through local manufacturing of vaccines, therapeutics, and other essential medical products.
The Kigali-based IVI office will act as IVI's representative in Africa, broaden its member base and engagement, and focus on enhancing clinical trial training capabilities. Additionally, it will promote collaborative grant applications with local partners to speed up vaccine research and innovation throughout the continent, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Founded in 1997 under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program, the IVI, which is based in Seoul, South Korea, aims to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines for global health. Rwanda was selected as the host for the African office after a thorough evaluation of proposals from five African countries.
Earlier this month, Rwanda and the African Union (AU) inaugurated the headquarters of the African Medicines Agency in Kigali, setting the stage for the regulatory body's operations on the continent. This specialized AU agency will enhance pandemic preparedness, increase access to medicines, promote collaboration among regulators, and strengthen health systems across Africa.
Moreover, Rwanda is the first of three African countries to establish an mRNA manufacturing facility, aimed at producing vaccines for AU members and improving access to innovative medical solutions.
