Mozambique's Head of State, Filipe Nyusi, on Tuesday called on Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to increase the amount of vaccines against covid-19, noting that the region is the worst hit by the pandemic in Africa.

Nyusi made the exhortation, speaking as outgoing president of SADC, during the organization's 41st Summit of Heads of State and Government, which is being held until Wednesday in the Malawian capital city of Lilongwe.

"Acceleration in vaccine procurement and expansion of immunization programs" must be a priority for SADC member states in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic, he stated.

The Mozambican head of state noted that southern Africa contributes more than 50% of covid-19 deaths on the African continent, a scenario that calls for drastic measures, but with balance.

Massive testing in urban centers, coordination in the application of measures and epidemiological control and expansion of immunization programs should also be contemplated in the strategies to combat covid-19, added Filipe Nyusi.

SADC member states, he continued, must also unite in mobilizing support for debt relief for the poorest countries hardest hit by the pandemic.

The Mozambican head of state urged vaccine producing countries to accept the transfer of rights over immunizing technologies, free of charge.

Africa, he continued, should also focus on the production of local vaccines to have a greater capacity to inoculate its population.

"The impact of the covid-19 pandemic remains present and visible, through the daily tragedy caused by new mutations, increased numbers of infections and deaths as well as in the slowdown and recession in national, regional and global economies," added Filipe Nyusi.

Nyusi noted that public health systems in southern African countries are reaching critical levels of saturation in their ability to provide services, at a time when there is evidence that the region is beset by a third wave of covid-19.

Lusa Agency