TAMESNA, Morocco — In response to the challenges faced by African nations in acquiring testing kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, many officials have pledged to enhance the continent’s self-sufficiency in medical supply production. A Moroccan startup, Moldiag, is now spearheading this initiative by providing mpox tests as the outbreak persists.
Moldiag began creating mpox tests after the World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the virus as a global emergency in August. This year, more than 59,000 mpox cases and 1,164 fatalities have been reported across 20 African countries, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The WHO has pledged to distribute mpox tests, vaccines, and treatments to vulnerable populations in the world’s poorest nations, responding to criticism for its slow vaccine rollout. It advocates for testing of all suspected mpox cases.
Despite these efforts, access to tests in remote regions of the mpox outbreak remains a significant issue, as samples must often be sent to far-off laboratories for analysis. Many of the 26 provinces in Congo lack adequate testing facilities, and in South Kivu province, medical professionals are still relying on symptom observation and temperature checks for diagnosis. Health officials express that this limitation complicates efforts to track the virus’s transmission.
“This presents a substantial challenge,” stated Musole Robert, the medical director of the Kavumu Referral Hospital, one of the few facilities treating mpox patients in eastern Congo, highlighting the laboratory’s inadequate resources. Mpox largely spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated clothes and bedding, frequently resulting in visible skin lesions. Testing is essential, as its symptoms can mimic those of illnesses like chickenpox or measles.
In 2022, as mpox cases emerged in Western nations, some companies began developing rapid test kits dispensing with lab processing. However, these efforts were put on hold when the virus appeared to be under control. Recent outbreaks in Africa have reignited concerns, particularly over a potentially more contagious variant of the disease. While Morocco has reported three cases of mpox, the majority have occurred in central Africa.
At Moldiag’s facility, founder and chief scientific officer Abdeladim Moumen mentioned that they offer affordable tests, priced at $5 each, aiming to alleviate the shortage of medical supplies. Just last month, the company started receiving orders from countries like Burundi, Uganda, and Congo, with sales also reaching Senegal and Nigeria. “Transporting tests from one African country to another is significantly easier than waiting for shipments from China or Europe,” Moumen added.
Moldiag originated from the Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation, and Research in Morocco, a nonprofit connected to a university that has received financial support from the European Commission and the Moroccan government. The startup previously created genetic tests for COVID-19 and tuberculosis. Approval from the Africa CDC for Moldiag to distribute its mpox tests was secured in November; however, the company has yet to submit documentation to the WHO for expedited approval. To date, the WHO has approved three mpox tests, all produced in North America, Europe, or Asia, and is considering five additional options.
According to Yenew Tebeje, the acting director for laboratory diagnostics and systems at Africa CDC, the organization instituted a protocol to hasten the approval of tests like Moldiag’s, given that the WHO’s process can take an extended period, which may hinder access to necessary diagnostics. Historically, international bodies have not ensured the rapid availability of medical supplies during crises in Africa, he noted.
Currently, only lab-dependent mpox tests have received WHO and Africa CDC approvals, with a noted demand for rapid tests that do not require laboratory analysis. Moldiag and other firms are actively pursuing the development and approval of such testing options. The pricing of Moldiag’s tests aligns with the WHO’s recommended values and the expectations of health advocates who have scrutinized the high costs of other testing options. Last month, the nonprofit Public Citizen urged Cepheid, one of the WHO’s approved mpox test manufacturers, to lower its price from about $20 to $5, referencing a Doctors Without Borders analysis that indicates genetic tests could be produced at a lower cost.
The establishment of local manufacturing in Africa represents a key objective that member states of the African Union emphasized following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the disparities in access to essential medical supplies, including vaccines and tests. In 2022, African leaders called for actionable steps to address these inequalities affecting the continent’s 1.4 billion residents, who face the highest rates of public health emergencies.
Moumen emphasized that there is an increasing recognition of the practicality in sourcing tests from regions experiencing outbreaks, enabling manufacturers to modify production processes to meet local needs. “Experts are realizing that African tests for Africa make the most sense,” he remarked.
