Health
Russia’s COVID-19 Vaccine Diplomacy in Africa
By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Last December, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted to the official website for the public reading its end-of-year report. The report offered the most significant activities and achievements, among them was the striking theme on Covid-19.
The report says in part: “Russia has contributed to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and to overcome its consequences. Registration of the Sputnik V vaccine was ensured in 71 countries, significant volumes of domestic vaccines were supplied abroad, and agreements were reached on the localization and expansion of the production of Russian drugs in various regions of the world.”
The unexpected outbreak of the coronavirus in December 2019 made many governments, organizations and health institutions still struggling for scientific solutions to the epidemiological situations express solidarity and call for closer bilateral cooperation in the sphere of health.
Some countries showed practical concern by making quick deliveries of medications and diagnostic materials, immune-biological preparations and medical equipment. Besides that, scientists were on their toes looking for appropriate COVID-19 vaccines.
In the process, Russia was the first to reach the goalpost. In less than a year, precisely on August 11, 2020, Russia became the first country to register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V, developed by the Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
Russian Foreign Ministry report last December says Sputnik V was registered in 71 countries. While it is yet to get final approval from World Health Organization (WHO), it is currently registered under the emergency use authorization procedure, according to the statement from the RDIF website. The RDIF is Russia’s sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable international financial and strategic investors. RDIF acts as a catalyst for direct investment in the Russian economy.
President Vladimir Putin has oftentimes praised the entire healthcare system, and particularly the hard-working team of scientists and specialists from different institutions for their efforts at research and creating a series of vaccines for use against the coronavirus both at home and abroad.
As the Foreign Ministry, the end-of-year report indicated, a quarter of the figure cited of foreign countries that registered Russian vaccine are in Africa. Algeria was the first African country to register the Russian vaccine. Ministry of Pharmaceutical Industry of Algeria registered Sputnik V on 10 January 2021 as follows from a post on their official Twitter account. Reportedly, the vaccine registered in the following African countries: Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia, the Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe.
Experts say that such a step is necessary for Russia to reassert its geopolitical influence and already engage in keen competition with other foreign players on the continent. However, a majority of African countries, where Sputnik V was registered, could not get supplies to purchase as promised.
Admittedly, Russia faces vaccine production challenges to meet the increasing market demand and to make prompt delivery on its pledges to external countries. As vaccine production and distribution intensifies, rivalry and competition strengthen and the fight for market share and its associated disinformation abound worldwide.
An official media release in mid-February 2021 said that the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team – set up by the African Union (AU) to acquire additional vaccine doses so that Africa can attain a target immunization of 60% – received an offer of 300 million Sputnik V vaccines from the Russian Federation. It was further described as a special offer from Russia.
As explained by John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC): “Africa has to team up with development partners to achieve its 60% continent-wide vaccination in the next two years. I think that is why we should as a collective of the continent, and of course, in partnership with the developed world make sure that Africa has timely access to vaccines to meet our vaccination targets.”
Russia never delivered the 300 million vaccines. Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat visited Moscow in mid-November. During their joint media conference after the closed-door meeting, Minister Sergey Lavrov, of course, reaffirmed that Russia would continue rendering assistance to various African countries through various multilateral organizations and bilateral channels.
“In response to a request from African Union members, Russia provided aid to almost 20 states by supplying them with vaccines, medications, and individual protective gear, and by sending qualified specialists,” he explained. Sergey Lavrov and his counterpart Moussa Faki Mahamat however maintained silence over the offer of 300 million doses that were highly expected through the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team of the African Union.
In the Situation Analytical Report on Russia-Africa, compiled by 25 Russian policy experts, headed by Sergei A. Karaganov, Honorary Chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, and was released last November, Russia’s consistent failure in honouring its several pledges over the years was vividly highlighted. The report decried the increased number of bilateral and high-level meetings that yield little or no definitive results.
“In many cases and situations, ideas and intentions are often passed for results, unapproved projects are announced as going ahead. Russia’s possibilities are overestimated both publicly and in closed negotiations. The supply of Russian-made vaccines to Africa is an example. Having concluded contracts for the supply of Sputnik V to a number of African states, Russian suppliers often failed to meet its contractual obligations on time,” says the report.
On a bilateral basis, Russia has made some vaccine deliveries, but only to its preferred countries including North Africa (Algeria Morocco and Egypt), East Africa (Ethiopia), in Southern Africa (Angola, Mozambique and Zimbabwe) and West Africa (Guinea). Media reports say South Africa has rejected Sputnik V donations.
Early December, President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. According to the official Kremlin transcript, “the presidents agreed to join efforts in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, in particular in view of the newly identified Omicron strain, and further discussed interaction within BRICS.” Thereafter, Kremlin dispatched Russian specialists to join the research of the Omicron strain in South Africa.
During the end-of-year media conference, Putin emphasized: “This struggle continues, and we are aware of the dangers that Omicron, this new strain, poses. As you may know, a group of Russian scientists and experts is now in South Africa, where their colleagues actually discovered this new strain. Once again, I would like to thank our colleagues from South Africa.”
The December phone conversation took place against the backdrop of the current entry restrictions on travellers from southern African countries, due to the spread of a new Covid-19 variant (new B.1.1.529 variant). With the outbreak of Omicron, external countries have imposed restrictions on entry into their territories from southern African countries including Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and South Africa.
Russia’s drive to share the Sputnik V vaccine offers a chance to raise its image and strengthen alliances in Africa. The authorities have oftentimes said that they would step up efforts for fruitful cooperation in combating coronavirus in Africa.
Last year Russia, through its Russian Direct Investment Fund, attempted to sell the vaccines to a number of African countries through Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, from the Monarch family and a third party in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Republic of Ghana reportedly signed a $64.6 million contract for the Sputnik V vaccine from Russia through Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum. It was double the price from the producer as reported in local Russian media.
Promising more than can be delivered appears to be a universal problem with coronavirus vaccines, and it is a real risk for Russia as well, said Theresa Fallon, Director of the Brussels-based Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies. “They have won the gold medal for creating this very effective vaccine,” she said. “But the problem is how are they going to implement production and delivery?”
In mid-December, TASS News Agency reported that the Russian Sputnik V vaccine was likely to be supplied to African countries free of charge, and quoted CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev who had told the Rossiya-1 TV Channel. “The first batches are likely to be delivered to African countries since there is a very high incidence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant,” CEO Dmitriev told the TV Channel.
Referring to the Situation Analytical Report on Russia-Africa, compiled by 25 Russian policy experts, lack of “information hygiene” at all levels of public speaking was listed among the main flaws of Russia’s current Africa policy. Interestingly Russians attempt to reclaim its stature as a global power and show that it is a key player, but evidence-based researches into Russia’s growing presence in Africa is however limited, particularly from the African perspective.
This aspect of dating and promising has become part of its post-Soviet diplomacy. What makes matters worse is that Russia simply do not promptly deliver on it promises and pledges with African countries. It has become part of its policy approach full of inconsistencies and full of first-class symbolism – these experts rightly listed among the main flaws in its African policy in the November report.
What’s more significant throughout last year, nearly all African countries received Covid-19 vaccines from the global COVAX scheme. This is due to the basic fact that they have lagged behind the rest in the world, and have to scramble for vaccines and always welcome donations from friendly governments from the western world and Europe.
While the pandemic ranges on, Africa really needs the developed world, as it has no vaccine of its own. It is far behind the rest of the world in terms of acquisition and inoculations. Africa remains resolute at ensuring the welfare of the entire population, while the African Union, regional blocs and individual governments make frantic efforts to acquire adequate vaccines through bilateral and multilateral agencies, and especially through COVAX.
On the other hand, the continent is witnessing an increased geopolitical rivalry for influence including competition over generosity. For many African countries, it is time to reflect as the pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in their health system. With its abundant resources, Africa still remains the world’s poorest and least developed continent, and worse with poor development policies. Amid all challenges, it is time to prioritize and focus on sustainable development.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization has reminded us that the pandemic struck at a time of rapid transformation for Africa. According to him, “many African countries have low levels of coverage of health services, and when health is at risk, everything is at risk” especially this challenging time when governments have to get together to save lives around the world.
World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic since March 2020. South Africa accounts for the biggest number of Africa’s coronavirus cases. The overall number of Covid-19 cases in Africa stands at least 9,741,000 reported infections and 228,000 reported deaths caused by the novel coronavirus in Africa in late December, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Members of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees protested at the Lagos office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), disrupting operations in reaction to the ban on sachet alcohol.
The protesting union members barricaded the agency’s premises in Isolo, meaning staff who arrived early to resume duty were forced to remain outside the complex.
Recall that NAFDAC has continued the ban on alcoholic beverages sold in sachets and PET bottles below 200 millilitres, despite calls from certain quarters, including the picketers.
The union is demanding the immediate unsealing of affected factories and production lines, warning that sustained enforcement of the policy could trigger significant economic consequences across the industry.
It is the second time this month that union members disrupted the Lagos NAFDAC office over what they described as the agency’s refusal to comply with an alleged federal government directive to suspend enforcement of the ban on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in sachets.
The union claimed that directives had been issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser, calling for the suspension of enforcement and the reopening of sealed production lines.
However, NAFDAC dismissed the claims, maintaining that it had not received any official instruction from the Federal Government to halt enforcement of the ban on sachet and PET-bottled alcohol.
Meanwhile, police officers were later seen at the NAFDAC Isolo premises, which dispersed the blockade to allow NAFDAC staff back into the premises.
Representatives of the Director-General of NAFDAC later engaged the protesting union in talks, but the meeting ended without resolution as demonstrators insisted their agitation would continue.
Union leaders presented their concerns during closed-door discussions with a director within the agency and the Special Assistant to the Director-General. However, no agreement was reached.
The protesters are urging NAFDAC to reconsider what they describe as the strict enforcement of the ban on sachet alcohol. Instead, they want the agency to focus on regulating access to such products, particularly by restricting sales to minors, while intensifying public enlightenment campaigns on responsible consumption.
Despite this, protesters say they will not stop until their demands are addressed.
As companion animals live longer and owners expect more from routine care, modern veterinary clinics have evolved into centers offering advanced diagnostics, specialty surgery, and integrative therapies. For busy professionals juggling work, travel, and online business demands, knowing which clinic delivers comprehensive care is essential. Frisco vet services illustrate how these modern practices combine cutting-edge technology, multidisciplinary expertise, and client-focused workflows. This article outlines the infrastructure, service offerings, and decision criteria that indicate a clinic capable of providing contemporary, evidence-based care while keeping visits efficient and stress-free for both pets and owners.
What Defines A Modern Veterinary Clinic
A modern veterinary clinic is defined less by a single piece of equipment and more by an integrated approach that combines up‑to‑date technology, specialized staff, and clinic design that prioritizes safety and comfort. These clinics treat animals with complex conditions, run efficient workflows, and communicate transparently with owners.
Key Infrastructure And Technology Investments
Contemporary clinics invest strategically in diagnostic and treatment modalities that materially change outcomes: digital radiography for rapid imaging, in‑house laboratories for same‑day blood work, ultrasound for real‑time organ assessment, and advanced surgical suites with anesthesia monitoring. Investment also includes infection‑control systems, reliable HVAC, and sterilization equipment. These capital decisions reduce turnaround time for diagnoses and support complex procedures that previously required referral.
Staffing, Specialization, And Continuing Education
Staffing reflects clinical ambition: veterinarians with specialty training (DACVS, DACVIM, DACVECC), certified veterinary technicians, and support staff trained in low‑stress handling. Modern clinics often host visiting specialists or maintain referral relationships with tertiary centers. Importantly, clinics that prioritize continuing education schedule regular training, subscribe to current literature, and engage in case reviews, actions that keep protocols current and improve outcomes.
Clinic Design For Safety, Flow, And Comfort
Design matters. Logical patient flow minimizes cross‑contamination and stress: separate entrances for healthy and sick patients, dedicated isolation wards, and distinct surgical zones. Comfortable client areas, clear signage, and private consultation rooms improve communication and compliance. For pets, non‑slip surfaces, quiet recovery areas, and pheromone‑friendly environments reduce anxiety, which in turn improves diagnostic accuracy and post‑procedure recovery.
Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities
Diagnostics are the backbone of modern pet care. Faster, more precise tests enable tailored treatment plans and earlier interventions.
Advanced Imaging: Digital X‑Ray, Ultrasound, CT, And MRI
Digital X‑ray provides high‑resolution images with immediate availability and easier sharing for remote consults. Ultrasound is indispensable for soft‑tissue evaluation and guided biopsies. CT and MRI, once exclusive to academic centers, are now present in many referral clinics, allowing detailed assessment of complex fractures, thoracic disease, neurologic conditions, and staging of cancer. Image quality and interpretation, often augmented by teleradiology, lead to more confident surgical planning and prognostication.
Laboratory, Point‑Of‑Care Testing, And Genomic Diagnostics
In‑house labs produce same‑day CBCs, chemistry panels, and cytology, accelerating decision‑making. Point‑of‑care tests for infectious agents, endocrine disorders, and clotting function add convenience without sacrificing reliability. Genomic diagnostics, from breed‑specific risk panels to tumor genomics, are increasingly accessible, enabling targeted therapies and risk stratification for hereditary conditions.
How Diagnostics Inform Preventive Care And Personalized Medicine
Diagnostics underpin preventive medicine: heartworm antigen tests, thyroid screening, and wellness blood panels reveal problems before clinical signs appear. Personalized medicine emerges when diagnostics inform individualized vaccination schedules, dietary plans, or monitoring frequency. The result: care that reduces emergency visits and improves long‑term quality of life.
State‑Of‑The‑Art Surgical And Interventional Services
Surgery in modern clinics spans routine spays and neuters to complex orthopedic reconstructions and image‑guided interventions.
Minimally Invasive, Laser, And Image‑Guided Procedures
Minimally invasive techniques, arthroscopy, laparoscopy, and endoscopy, reduce pain, shorten hospital stays, and speed return to function. Laser surgery provides precision and reduced bleeding for soft‑tissue procedures. Image‑guided interventions, such as CT‑guided biopsies or fluoroscopy for foreign body retrieval, allow targeted treatments that were once riskier or impossible.
Anesthesia, Pain Management, And Perioperative Safety
Anesthesia protocols are more nuanced today: individualized drug selection, multimodal analgesia, regional blocks, and continuous monitoring (ECG, capnography, pulse oximetry) improve safety. Preoperative assessment, including risk stratification and optimization of comorbidities, reduces complications. Recovery protocols emphasize early mobilization and aggressive pain control to prevent chronic pain syndromes.
Postoperative Rehabilitation And Recovery Protocols
Rehabilitation is an expected component of surgical care. Physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and tailored exercise plans reduce muscle atrophy and improve joint function. Clinics often provide home‑care instructions and scheduled reassessments to track progress and adjust protocols. These programs turn good surgical outcomes into durable functional gains.
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care – Frisco
Advanced Therapeutics And Specialty Treatments
Beyond diagnostics and surgery, modern clinics deliver advanced therapeutics that extend and improve life quality.
Regenerative Medicine: Stem Cells And PRP
Regenerative modalities like mesenchymal stem cell therapy and platelet‑rich plasma (PRP) injections aim to stimulate healing in tendon, ligament, and osteoarthritic conditions. While still an evolving field, controlled studies and clinical experience show promising functional improvements for select patients. Clinics offering these therapies combine careful case selection with measurable outcome tracking.
Oncology, Neurology, Cardiology, And Other Specialties
Specialty services allow complex, multidisciplinary care. Veterinary oncologists provide staging, chemotherapy, and radiation planning: neurologists manage seizure disorders and spinal disease: cardiologists use echocardiography and interventional procedures for congenital heart defects. Integration with imaging and lab diagnostics enables cohesive care pathways that mirror human tertiary centers.
Integrative Therapies: Physical Rehab, Acupuncture, And Nutrition
Integrative care recognizes the value of adjunctive treatments. Acupuncture and targeted nutrition plans complement medical therapy for chronic pain and mobility issues. Nutritional counseling, including therapeutic diets for renal, cardiac, or dermatologic disease, is standard in clinics focused on long‑term outcomes.
Improving Pet And Client Experience With Technology
Technology enhances both clinical care and client experience, especially for owners who need efficient, transparent services.
Telemedicine, Remote Monitoring, And Virtual Follow‑Ups
Telemedicine extends access for triage, follow‑ups, and behavioral consultations. Remote monitoring devices, activity trackers, continuous glucose monitors, and wearable ECGs, provide objective data between visits. Virtual follow‑ups reduce travel burdens and let clinicians adjust care in real time, improving adherence and satisfaction.
Electronic Medical Records, Client Portals, And Scheduling Tools
Electronic medical records (EMRs) streamline documentation and support coordinated care. Client portals give owners access to vaccination histories, lab results, and discharge instructions. Integrated scheduling and automated reminders decrease no‑shows and improve preventive care compliance, a benefit both to clinics and busy clients.
Pain Management, Behavior‑Based Care, And Low‑Stress Handling
Client experience is inseparable from pet comfort. Modern clinics train staff in low‑stress handling techniques and behavior‑based protocols that reduce fear and aggression. Transparent pain‑management plans, clear cost estimates, and follow‑up communications foster trust and better outcomes.
How To Choose The Right Modern Clinic For Your Pet
Choosing a clinic requires practical criteria and an understanding of trade‑offs between convenience, specialization, and cost.
Questions To Ask: Credentials, Equipment, And Outcomes
Prospective clients should ask about specialist credentials, the availability of imaging and lab services, and the clinic’s approach to anesthesia and pain control. Request examples of similar cases and expected outcomes. A clinic that welcomes such questions is often more transparent and results‑oriented.
Cost, Insurance, And Referral Pathways
Advanced care carries higher costs. Discuss fee structures, payment options, and whether the clinic works with pet insurance. Understand referral pathways: does the clinic refer to or host board‑certified specialists? Clear referral and co‑management policies indicate maturity and a networked approach to care.
Evaluating Reviews, Accreditation, And Collaboration With Primary Vets
Look for consistent reviews that mention communication, follow‑up, and outcomes rather than isolated flashy cases. Accreditation (AAHA in the U.S.) or affiliation with universities can signal adherence to higher standards. Finally, the best specialty clinics collaborate with primary care veterinarians, ensuring continuity rather than competition.
Conclusion
Modern veterinary clinics for advanced pet care combine technology, specialization, and thoughtful design to deliver better diagnostic accuracy, safer surgeries, and more personalized therapies. Pet owners benefit when clinics pair capabilities with clear communication, transparent costs, and collaborative care models. For professionals, including small business owners and busy entrepreneurs who value efficient, outcome‑driven services, selecting a clinic that integrates advanced diagnostics, robust perioperative care, and client‑centric technology yields the best chance for sustained pet health. As veterinary medicine continues to mirror human healthcare in capability and complexity, informed choices and trusted partnerships between owners and clinics will determine the real value of those advances.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An Ibadan-based herbal company, Ar-Rahmon Khabul Herbal Nigeria Limited, has been sealed by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA).
The state government, in a statement signed on Friday by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Dotun Oyelade, revealed that the herbal firm was shut down due to environmental violations and public health concerns.
The leader of OYRLEA, Mrs Aderonke Aderemi, explained that the action was taken after multiple petitions from residents alleging persistent offensive odour and health challenges linked to the company’s operations.
She noted that the state government swung into action “to protect public health, preserve environmental standards, and enforce regulatory compliance across the state.”
It was gathered that investigations identified tobacco leaf as a major component in its production process, generating a strong, putrid odour deemed hazardous to residents and capable of posing serious health risks to the surrounding community.
“Joint inspections by officials revealed that the company operates a herbal production facility within a densely populated residential area, in clear violation of environmental and public health standards,” the statement said, adding that further findings from the inspection include the emission of harmful and toxic gaseous substances into the atmosphere, the discharge of wastewater into a nearby community water body, the installation of a chimney deemed too short and directly facing residential buildings, and the accumulation of solid waste within the premises despite claims of engaging a waste contractor, among others.
Prior to the enforcement action, the agency had issued an abatement notice directing the company to cease operations and relocate within 21 days in accordance with the Oyo State Environmental, Sanitation and Waste Control Regulations.
OYRLEA, along with the agencies that carried out the enforcement, reiterates that air pollution, hazardous waste discharge, and improper waste management are violations of environmental laws.
Mrs Aderemi reaffirmed OYRLEA’s commitment to sustained monitoring and enforcement to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all residents.
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