Revital Healthcare Limited, a Kenyan origin medical supplies manufacturer has reportedly received funding of nearly Sh400 million from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to boost the syringe manufacturing in wake of the ongoing syringes scarcity in Africa.
As per sources, the funding will be used by Revital Healthcare Limited to increase production of auto disable vaccine syringes. The company will reportedly expand the production from 72 million to 265 million by the end of 2022.
The demand to boost production comes after the World Health Organization declared the fear of vaccine shortages in Africa. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said that the Covid-19 vaccine drive could face a halt due to scarcity of syringes and that measures should be taken to bring up the production.
According to reliable reports, the Covid-19 vaccination and childhood immunization have boosted the demand for auto-disable syringes in 2021.
For the uninitiated, Revital reportedly manufactures various medical devices like different type of syringes, rapid malaria test kits, PPE, Rapid Covid antigen test kits, oxygen products and other products. The company also manufacturers medical equipment for nearly 21 countries globally including government organizations like UNICEF, WHO and others.
Roneek Vora, Sales, Marketing and Development Director at Revital Healthcare quoted that syringe supply in Africa should be expanded to ensure adequate supply for the continent. He added that Revital is thrilled to be a part of the global vaccination drive and aims to become the top medical supplier in Africa by 2030, making Africa self-dependent in catering to its healthcare commodity needs.
It has been speculated that Revital Healthcare Limited is presently the only manufacturer prequalified by WHO for producing syringes in Africa.
The expansion of auto-disable syringe and Revital’s aim to expand its manufacturing of other medical devises will reportedly create 100 new jobs and 5000 indirect jobs for people. The company is committed to reserving at least 50 per cent of the jobs for the women.
Source credit :- https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2021-11-07-kenyan-firm-to-produce-syringes-amid-looming-shortage-in-africa/