By Nadia Ntiamoah
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised fresh alarm over Africa’s heavy reliance on imported vaccines, warning that the situation threatens the continent’s long-term health security and undermines efforts to build resilient healthcare systems.
Dr Mohamed Yakub Janabi, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, said the continent’s continued dependence on external supply chains leaves African countries vulnerable during global health emergencies and weakens progress toward self-sufficiency in medical care.
Speaking with TV3 on Sunday, February 1, 2026, Dr Janabi revealed that Africa currently imports about 99% of its vaccines, describing this as an unacceptable situation for a continent seeking stronger health independence.
“We want to see local manufacturing of medicines and therapeutic devices, especially vaccines. Africa imports 99% of its vaccines, and for health security, this is not good,” he stated.
Dr Janabi stressed that expanding local vaccine production is critical to achieving universal health coverage across Africa, insisting that equitable access to healthcare must remain a central priority.
“We want to see universal health coverage. No one should be left behind,” he added.
The WHO official explained that strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity is not only about vaccines but also about building a sustainable health system that can withstand future pandemics and supply disruptions.
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Beyond vaccine security, Dr Janabi highlighted antimicrobial resistance as one of the most serious public health dangers facing Africa today, describing it as a “slow-motion pandemic” that is steadily reducing the effectiveness of common treatments.
“We want to combat antimicrobial resistance; it is a slow-motion pandemic,” he warned.
Drawing from his own medical experience, he explained how infections that were once easily treated now require longer and more complicated courses of medication.
“Not so long ago, when I was in active practice, I used three days to treat a UTI. Today, it takes more than a week, especially in women,” he noted.
He added that many patients now report prolonged antibiotic use with little improvement, largely because bacteria have become resistant to commonly used drugs.
“This is because the bacteria have become pretty much resistant to these medicines,” Dr Janabi explained.
In addition, the WHO Africa Regional Director said the organisation will intensify efforts to address both communicable and non-communicable tropical diseases, while also pushing for a significant expansion of Africa’s health workforce to meet increasing healthcare demands.
“We also wish to see the treatment of communicable and non-communicable tropical diseases. We need to increase our health manpower. These are the priorities of the WHO in Africa,” he said.
Dr Janabi’s remarks come as African governments continue to explore strategies to strengthen domestic health systems, reduce dependence on imported medical products, and improve preparedness for future health crises.
