24 Jul 2024

In a major development that will enhance its standing as a vaccine manufacturer, Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) laboratories got accredited by the regional regulatory body Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS).

This step, together with the new blending and filling laboratory which is fully automated, will boost BVI’s productive capacity and adherence to quality standards in vaccine production.

Speaking during the accreditation ceremony in Gaborone Tuesday, Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao said the accreditation of BVI quality control laboratory against ISO/IEC 17025 standard came at the right time when government through this institution was in negotiation with technical partners.

Mr Molao said the accreditation should add impetus to what BVI does and dovetail with government commitment and desire to set Botswana as a centre of excellence in vaccine manufacturing.

 He said the accreditation was a monumental duty for BVI to rise to the occasion and meet regional and international quality standards.

In 2023, BVI supplied over 25 million doses of vaccines to countries in Southern African region, East and West African markets which were subjected to laboratory testing for quality assurance, he said, adding that this provided confidence to customers and further opened doors to more markets.

Mr Molao said it was for this reason that the accreditation was a big step in the right direction of assuring the market of the quality produced at BVI, citing that by obtaining this certification the institute was demonstrating its adherence to rigorous quality standards that ensured reliable and accurate laboratory testing.

SADCAS Chief Executive Officer, Ms Eve Gadzikwa said the accreditation landscape in Botswana was growing rapidly and commended government for its dedication and commitment to strengthening the quality infrastructure through the National Quality Policy (NQP) of 2022.

Ms Gadzikwa said the NQP was an integral part of the broader industrial diversification and export strategies that seek the development of quality products and services.  She said the policy seeks to enhance trade and economic development, whilst simultaneously ensuring that the safety and health of human, fauna and flora as well as the environment is not compromised.

As at May 31, there were 32 accredited facilities in Botswana, which now included BVI; a testimony that government had embraced the benefits of accreditation, she said.

She said two-thirds of vaccines produced by BVI were exported annually to 15 countries in Africa and the Middle East, highlighting  the importance of accreditation in facilitating global trade.

This accreditation illustrated that BVI contributed to sustainable animal health solution, consumer protection and wider goals of global health security, Ms Gadzikwa added. She said BVI had been granted the unique accreditation number PHAR005. Ms Gadzikwa said the facility was accredited in accordance with the recognised international standard ISO/IEC 17025 of 2017. She said the accreditation certificate was issued on the May 9 and would be valid for five years. ENDS