Ethiopia’s deputy state health minister, Dereje Daguma has announced the readiness of its country to start the manufacture and subsequent export of Covid-19 test kits to African countries.
The minister said his country’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, is collaborating with the Chinese government and production is expected to commence this month of September.
The Minister added that Ethiopia, which is ranked with the third-highest number of caseloads in Africa, will stop the importation of test kits, and will in the nearest future export the manufactured test kits to other African nations.
Ethiopia has over already tested over 1 million people and had confirmed 58,672 cases of the virus by September 9, including 21,307 recoveries and 918 deaths.
Health Minister, Leah Tadesse thanked Ethiopia’s health workers for working tirelessly across the country’s 52 coronavirus testing centres.
“As we pass one million tests, I would like to sincerely thank all our health workers working tirelessly, particularly those working as sample collectors, our lab technicians, rapid response teams, contact tracers, logistic teams, drivers and all coordinators and leaders of all labs and facilities across the country,” she said.
China has been working closely with the country and recently donated for the 3rd time 500,000 surgical masks and 10,000 pieces of protective medical gear.
