Turkey will send 15 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Africa, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an-nounced on Saturday at a major summit of the con-tinent’s leaders, adding that the low vaccination rates there were a blot on humanity.
Ankara has invested heavily in developing trade and diplomatic ties with the world’s poorest conti-nent during Erdogan’s rule as prime minister and then president since 2003.
In opening remarks to dozens of African leaders and ministers, Erdogan said Turkey would ship 15 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Africa, where cases are rapidly rising and vaccination rates are low.
“We are aware of the global injustice in access-ing the Covid-19 vaccine and Africa’s unjust treat-ment,” Erdogan said.
“It is disgraceful for humanity that only six per-cent of Africa’s population has been vacci-nated.”Turkey is developing its own vaccine, known as Turkovac, which is in the process of receiving emergency use approval.
Following any authorisation, it will be shared with Africa, Erdogan said.—APP
