Moldiag, a Moroccan startup, began developing mpox tests after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the virus a global emergency in August.
After African countries struggled to get enough COVID-19 tests, officials vowed to make the continent less dependent on imports for medical supplies.
So, in a first for Africa, a Moroccan company is now filling orders for mpox tests on the continent.
Moldiag won approval to distribute its mpox tests from Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in November.
It hasn’t submitted paperwork to be considered for expedited approval from the World Health Organization.
During this outbreak, the WHO has approved three mpox tests from American and Swiss companies and is considering five others, including those from Spanish and Chinese manufacturers.
Moldiag was founded out of Morocco’s Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation, and Research (MASCIR), a non-profit affiliated with a private university whose research has received some funding from the European Commission and Morocco’s Ministry of Higher Education.
Moldiag’s founder and Chief Scientific Officer, says the Moroccan-manufactured tests could help remedy shortages in an affordable way.
Source: Africanews.com
