The Call on everyone in need to access by Special Rapporteur Tlaleng Mofokeng, coincides with the arrival of vaccine shipments and the start of planned rollouts by health authorities in some of the worst-affected African countries.
Nigeria has received about 10,000 doses mpox vaccine last weekand the Democratic Republic of Congo – home to the current outbreak of the infectious disease known as Clade 1b – received its first batch on Thursday.
“Equitable access to vaccines for all, including populations from the so-called Global South, is crucial,” she said, stressing that “Global access to mpox vaccines for all people in need is a human rights issue.“
She called on developed countries and businesses to join hands in action.
“Countries, especially those in the Northern Hemisphere, have an active role to play in demonstrating global solidarity…Businesses should not put profits above saving lives.“
Coordination is key
Ms. Mofokeng stressed the need for concerted action, guided by a commitment to protect and promote the fundamental right to health for all.
“Monitoring, preparedness and response activities related to mpox should be coordinated in a way that includes all population groups,” she said, especially the most vulnerable.
These include older people, people with disabilities, indigenous people, people living in extreme poverty, homeless people, migrants, refugees and displaced people, as well as people in detention, people who use drugs and LGBTIQ+ people.
Appointed and authorized by Geneva Human Rights CouncilThe Special Rapporteur is independent of the United Nations. Ms. Mofokeng is not a United Nations employee and does not receive a salary for her work.
Extended response
World Health Organization of the United Nations (WHO) and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) launched a joint response plan on Friday to help contain the spread of the virus across the continent.
The estimated $600 million plan, which will run from September to February next year, will allocate about 55 percent of its resources to mpox response and preparedness activities in 29 African countries, while the remainder will go to operational and technical support through partners.
“This is an important milestone for our coordinated action across agencies to support countries by strengthening expertise, mobilizing resources and capacity. to quickly and effectively stop the spread of mpoxMatshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said.
“By uniting, we can achieve more and our collective strength will take us further.ensure that communities and individuals are protected from the threat of this virus,” Dr Moeti added.
Mpox Virus
Mpox is a viral disease. caused by the monkeypox virus (often abbreviated as MPXV). Common symptoms include a skin rash that can last two to four weeks, along with fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
The disease can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with an infected person or an infected animal. Treatment is supportive and aimed at relieving symptoms. Various therapies that may be effective against mpox are being developed and tested.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declares mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern – the highest level of alert under international health law, on August 14, following advice from global health experts at the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee.
