The African Union has inaugurated the African Union COVID-19 Diagnostic Laboratory at its Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre, AU-PANVAC, office in Debre-Zeit, Ethiopia.

The laboratory was inaugurated by the AU Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture H.E. Josefa Sacko and the Commissioner for Social Affairs H.E. Amira Elfadil.

Dr. Nick Nwankpa the Director PANVAC took the group on a tour of PANVAC laboratories which though designed to test the quality of vaccines and produce diagnostic reagents, was recently mandated to test COVID19 as well as to research into developing a new vaccine to fight the deadly pandemic. This is the first African Union specialized laboratory to be given such a mandate.

H.E Amira Elfadil cut the ribbons for the inauguration in the presence of Commissioner Josefa Sacko; Dr. Kelinga Naftal, Acting Director of the AU Medical Center; Dr. Benjamin Djoudalbaye representing the Director of the Africa CDC, Dr John Nkengasong; Dr. Diop Yahya, Head of AU Clinic laboratories and other senior members of the AU Commission.

During the visit, the Commissioners were also given a presentation on the establishment of PANVAC and the role it played in the eradication of the deadly pandemic Rinderpest in the 1970s.

About PANVAC:
The African Union Pan African Veterinary Center of the (AU-PANVAC) is a specialized technical office of the African Union Commission under the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture. AU-PANVAC is the only AU Organization mandated to provide International Independent Quality Control of all Veterinary Vaccines either produced or imported into Africa; and the production of Essential biological reagents for animal disease diagnosis and surveillance. AU-PANVAC is Currently ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Accredited and ISO 9001: 2015 Certified.
Learn more at: https://aupanvac.org/

Africa CDC:
Is a specialized technical institution of the African Union established to support public health initiatives of Member States and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions to detect, prevent, control and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats. Africa CDC supports African Union Member States in providing coordinated and integrated solutions to the inadequacies in their public health infrastructure, human resource capacity, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and preparedness and response to health emergencies and disasters.
Learn more at: https://africacdc.org/

For further information please contact:
1. Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer| Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org
2. Ms. Sarah Abel-Mohsen Elsayed | Communication officer | Social Affairs Department | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | E-mail: elsayeds@africa-union.org |