PARAMARIBO – The Ministry of Health is currently busy placing orders for the material needed to test people for monkeypox. It will also discuss the precautionary measures with the Public Health Bureau (BOG), Immigration Services and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Health Minister Amar Ramadhin pointed out that steps must be taken in response to the fact that WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has determined that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). He also pointed out that he had a talk with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). Health officials must determine the rules for choosing the people who must be tested for monkeypox.

Committee Chair Professor Dimie  Ogoina said, “The current upsurge of mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency, not only for Africa,  but for the entire globe. Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself.”

The two vaccines currently in use for mpox are recommended by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, and are also approved by WHO-listed national regulatory authorities, as well as by individual countries including Nigeria and the DRC. Last week, the Director-General triggered the process for Emergency Use Listing for mpox vaccines, which will accelerate vaccine access for lower-income countries which have not yet issued their own national regulatory approval. Emergency Use Listing also enables partners including Gavi and UNICEF to procure vaccines for distribution…[+]