African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf called for African pharmaceutical sovereignty, saying the continent could no longer depend on global health systems that had failed to develop vaccines and treatments for diseases mainly affecting Africa.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has bestowed honours as officers of the Order of the Eagle of Zambia on WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus and Africa's CDC Head Jean Kaseya.

The President of Zambia has recognised their dedication to diligently reforming the health sector.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has officially declared the ongoing Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking the first such declaration by the agency since its inception in 2017.

There is a need for Africa to locally manufacture vaccines and fill immunisation gaps.

Currently, Africa imports 99 percent of its vaccines.

Moreover, more than 90 percent of medicines and medical devices are imported.