Stakeholders pledge support for the successful implementation of ANDI.

A warm welcome to the opening ceremony of the 2^nd Stakeholders Meeting of the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI), was led by the host Professor Anthony Mbewu of the Medical Research Council, South Africa and also in his capacity as co-chair of the local organizing committee. The following is a summary of the goodwill messages delivered by various invited dignitaries:

Dr Anthony Mbewu – President MRC, South Africa (Co-chair of the local organizing committee)

The need for innovation in African R&D is greater than ever. We cannot depend on the developed countries to provide solutions to diseases that disproportionately affect Africa. There is great optimism for the success of ANDI in addressing these needs.

Ambassador Tom Mboya – Kenya Mission to the UN, Switzerland (Chair ANDI Task Force)

Firstly commended the South African government for the financial support and hosting the 2^nd Stakeholders meeting. ANDI is a movement that brings researchers together to work as a team to develop drugs for neglected tropical diseases killing people in Africa. 40% of Millennium Development Goals target health and ANDI is part of the movement to address these health issues without competing or undermining other efforts. ANDI is complimentary. If ANDI is to succeed, African governments need to support the initiative financially and otherwise. We hope that the Strategic Business Plan developed by the Task Force will be adopted as a road map towards the successful implementation of ANDI.

Dr Stella Anyangwe – WHO representative, South Africa

The beauty of ANDI is that the capacity for R&D will be built in Africa, for Africans and largely by Africans. The 46 country offices of WHO in Africa pledge their support to make ANDI a success.

Ms Precious Matsoso – Director PHI/WHO, Switzerland

ANDI is a step towards the implementation of the Global Strategy and Plan of Action for Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property of the World Health Organization. ANDI will create access to medical interventions but there are a few prerequisites to making it work: 1) Responsive regulatory environment, 2) Innovative supportive structures, 3) Social contracts between private and public sectors, and 4) Recognition of constraints in overcoming the financial crisis. ANDI must be at the cutting edge of prevention, but most importantly reduce mortality and morbidity rates in Africa.

Dr Rob Ridley – Director TDR/WHO, Switzerland

This meeting is a follow up to the commitment to the ANDI concept, made in Abuja. ANDI is moving from the technical phase into becoming an organization. The ministerial representation here today shows the commitment from the sectors (Health and Science & Technology) to which ANDI responds. He further solicited for the implementation of the pledge for 1% of the continents GDP to be spent on science and technology and 2% of health budgets on health research which will surely improve the continents health indices.

Dr Peter Atadja – Representative of Africans in the Diaspora

ANDI is a dream come true. If successful, Africans in diaspora who are the initiators of ANDI will have the opportunity to contribute skills acquired elsewhere towards the development of their continent. Innovation in Africa is a matter of national security, and should be treated as such - else the continent will soon be wiped out by the various disease epidemics plaguing us. Africa is said to generate about a trillion dollars GDP, thus a passionate appeal to governments to commit as little as 0.1% to research and development in Africa was made.

Dr Albrecht Jahn - European Union

The European Union shares the global ambition to address neglected tropical diseases in Africa, hence the union is willing to support the success of ANDI.

Dr Tom Hurley – African Development Bank

The African Development Bank has plans to support ANDI financially and has been a part of the Task Force since its inception. As part of its goals to strengthen capacity for research and development will continue to support ANDI.

Dr Maged Al-Sherbiny – Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Egypt

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education pledges the support of the Egyptian Government to provide resources for the implementation of ANDI.  We must commit our support for ANDI in order for our health challenges to be addressed.

Dr Richard Nduhuura – Ministry of Health, Uganda

R&D is the backbone of innovation. The diseases plaguing Africa have been neglected in the past and this has resulted in poor health indices. ANDI is timely as it comes to strengthen R&D, as well as address our health challenges. To achieve this, what is required is strong leadership. The Ugandan government is fully behind ANDI.

Mr Gabriel Namulambe ­– Ministry of Science and Technology, Zambia

No country can develop without strengthening science and technology. Zambia is keen to adopt key development in science and technology. As a minister, he will work to influence the budget to support ANDI. The president of Uganda supports efforts of Africans in the Diaspora and they will support the roadmap for ANDI implementation.

Keynote address: Ms Naledi Pandor –Department of Science and Technology, South Africa

The government of South Africa is committed to R&D so that South Africa is not left wanting. ANDI will be a key contributor to medical progress that will turn fundamental research findings into innovative treatments that are not only available but also accessible to those who need them (particularly on the African continent). Our weakness is the manner in which we develop in isolation and we lack venture capitalists, on the continent that will support products to commercialization. There is an urgent need to ensure a robust research pipeline full of newer, more effective and easier to use medicines. The establishment of ANDI will help us deal with the crisis in R&D for neglected diseases and develop human capital for sustainable development. The Department of Science & Technology supports ANDI and urges the MRC President to hold her accountable to delivering on her promise.

Rapporteurs: Somto Amechi and Foluke Fakorede